Sheynnis Alondra Cornejo Palacios, 23, of Managua, Nicaragua is Miss Universe 2023. This makes her the first Miss Universe from Nicaragua.
Hosted by Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo, 31, Jeannie Mai, 44, and Maria Menounos, 45, the Miss Universe 2023 coronation ceremony was held at the Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda in San Salvador, El Salvador on November 18, 2023. Including Palacios, a total 84 women competed for the title.
John Legend, 44, performed during the ceremony. At the end of the show, Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel, 29, of the United States passed her crown to Palacios.
Runner-up to Palacios was Anntonia Porsild, 27, of Thailand. Moraya Wilson, 22, of Australia is second runner-up.
There were 11 members in the panel of judges including Miss Universe 1977 Janelle Commissiong, 70, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, 30, and Miss Universe 2021 first runner-up Nadia Ferreira, 24. The others were Dr. Connie Mariano, 64, Giselle Blondet, 59, Carson Kressley, 54, Denise White, 51, Sweta Patel, 31, Halima Aden, 26, Mario Bautista, 24, and Avani Gregg, 20.
Born in Managua, Palacios is currently based in Diriamba, Nicaragua. She is Miss Teen Nicaragua 2016.
Representing Nicaragua, Palacios finished in the Top 10 at Miss Teen Universe 2017 in Managua. On February 15, 2020, she represented Managua at Miss Mundo Nicaragua 2020 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Managua and won the title.
In December 2021, Palacios represented Nicaragua at Miss World 2021 and competed against 96 other candidates in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was selected as one of the 40 quarterfinalists.
On March 16, 2022, Palacios competed against 39 other quarterfinalists during the Miss World 2021 coronation night at the Coca-Cola Music Hall in San Juan and did not make it to the Top 13. On August 5, 2023, she represented Diriamba at Miss Nicaragua 2023, competed against nine other finalists at Crowne Plaza Managua in Managua and won the title.
Miss Universe 2023 marks Nicaragua’s fifth Miss Universe placement. Representing the county, Beatriz Obregón finished in the Top 12 in 1977, Xiomara Blandino finished in the Top 10 in 2007, Nastassja Bolívar finished in the Top 16 in 2013 and Ana Marcelo finished in the Top 21 in 2020.
CONAN Daily 