10 things about Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025 Zashely Alicea

Zashely Nicole Alicea Rivera won the 69th edition of Miss Universe Puerto Rico. She represented Puerto Rico, United States in the 74th edition of Miss Universe.

BIOGRAPHY

Alicea is a Puerto Rican gymnast, ballerina, model and beauty queen born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is an alumna of the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, San Juan.

On June 23, 2025, Alicea turned 26. Here are 10 more things about her:

1. In 2008, she was a member of Puerto Rico’s children’s gymnastics team that competed at the Pan American Games.
2. In 2009, she started her dance training at the Escuela Especializada en Ballet Julián E. Blanco in San Juan.
3. In 2011, she joined Mauro Ballet School in San Juan.
4. In 2013, she was selected to be part of Puerto Rico’s youth gymnastics team.
5. In 2014, she became a soloist with the Youth Company.
6. From 2017 to 2022, she attended the University of Puerto Rico where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
7. In 2017, she became a semi-soloist with the Youth Company.
8. In 2025, she visited Thailand.
9. She won Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025.
10. She was a Miss Universe 2025 finalist.

TIMELINE

Alicea is a resident of Dorado, Puerto Rico. Among her dance teachers are Armando Seda, Carlota Carrera, Jaqueline Torregrosa, Lourdes Gómez, Lourdes Ortega, Marena Pérez, Orlando Carreras, Vanessa Vachier and Víctor Gilí.

2010s

• In June 2016, she performed ballet at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré in Santurce, San Juan.
• In October 2019, she had a photoshoot in Loiza, Puerto Rico.

2020s

• In June 2022, she graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras.
• On August 11, 2022, she attended Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022 at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré in Santurce.
• On August 14, 2025, she represented Dorado at Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2025 and competed against 22 other candidates at the Sala de Festivales Antonio Paoli of the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré in Santurce. She won the title.
• On November 21, 2025, she represented Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2025 and competed against 119 other candidates at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand. She finished in the Top 12.