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Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios received a grand welcome motorcade on Sunday, May 5 at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex in Pasay City. The beauty queen from Nicaragua arrived in the Philippines on May 1 as part of her Asia Tour and as a special guest of the Miss Universe Philippines organization. Fans flocked to MOA to give her the warmest Filipino welcome. The reigning Miss Universe became emotional when she was handed the Nicaraguan flag during her parade. To recall, Sheynnis has not been back to her home country since winning the 72nd Miss Universe last November in San Salvador, El Salvador. Fun fact, she not only became the first Nicaraguan woman to become Miss Universe but also the first to win one of the major international pageants. But, her historic victory was controversial in Nicaragua, due to the images of her participation years ago in protests against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. Also, Miss Universe Nicaragua national director Karen Celebertti has been banned

Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios was teary-eyed during her first-ever encounter with an elephant while visiting Nakhon Phanom, a province in northeastern Thailand. The Miss Universe Organization shared the video of the beautiful moment when the Nicaraguan beauty witnessed the largest living land animals for the first time in her life. "Oh my God, it's the first time that I see the elephants, oh my God I wanna cry," Sheynnis said emotionally then hugged the owner of MUO, Anne Jakrajutatip. Elephants play an important role as the national symbol of Thailand. The gentle giants are seen as guardians, protectors, and symbols of strength in Thai culture. Since ancient times, the Thai people have had a close relationship with elephants, from their use as warriors on the battlefield to serving as beasts of burden, carrying agricultural produce, and cutting timber from the forest. In case you missed it, watch Sheynnis' reaction here: View this post on Instagram

Since she arrived in Bangkok, Thailand for her first official visit to the country this week, reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios has been busy with many activities scheduled for her. One of the highlights of her activities with reigning Miss Universe Thailand and Miss Universe 2023 first runner-up Anntonia Porsild was meeting Ko Muang Phet, an albino Thai buffalo. The famous buffalo recently made headlines after being sold for a whopping 18 million baht (US $1.5 million) at a fair in Thailand. According to The Nation , aside from its striking beauty and colossal size, the buffalo is known for its remarkable breeding capability because 90% of its offspring will be born with albino traits. Ko Muang Phet also made a mark in the entertainment world, starring as the character Ai Khlaow's buffalo in the most recent version of the popular "Mon Rak Luk Thung" TV drama. Bangkok Post reports Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin sees the buffalo as a form of new "soft po

Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios touched down in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this week to officially kick off her Asian tour. The Nicaraguan beauty, who bagged her country's first crown in El Salvador last November, reunited with her sister queen and Miss Universe 2023 first runner-up Anntonia Porsild. Aside from Thailand, Sheynnis is also expected to visit Laos, Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India. "I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love and support that I have received as we prepare to embark on this tour of Asia," the 72nd Miss Universe shared on social media. "Your warmth and appreciation mean the world to me, and I am deeply touched. I am looking forward to this incredible journey, and I feel incredibly blessed to have your encouragement," she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Thailand (@missuniverse.in.th) Photos: Miss Universe Thai

Philippines' Michelle Dee has been announced by the Miss Universe Organization as the winner of the Miss Universe 2023 Best in National Costume. The Filipina beauty who entered the Top 10 in the 72nd Miss Universe competition on November 18 in El Salvador was voted by the fans through the official Miss Universe app. Michelle's national costume is a beautiful creation of Michael Barassi. It represents the Philippines itself — resilient, radiant, and ready to embrace the Universe. With each thread woven into the "solihiya" pattern, an iconic design used in the tropics of the Philippines, it embraces her body flawlessly — unfolding the story of the islands' unity and artistry. Rising from her back, her wings bear the colors of the Philippine flag and a mural of its most breathtaking sights while parading the country's official tourism slogan: #LoveThePhilippines. Crowned with a captain's hat, her costume is a salute to her role as an Air Force reservist and t

The 72nd Miss Universe competition culminated in the magical El Salvador in the weekend and we still can't get over how spectacular the show was. From the stage, production, contestants, guest performers, and distinguished judges, to the energy of the crowded Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda, everything was flawless. The host country delivered its promise — it was undoubtedly one of the best editions of the annual Miss Universe pageant in recent years. If we were to hand out special awards for the best of the night during the final competition, these beauties would top our list: --- FACE OF THE COMPETITION Australia, Moraya Wilson --- BEST IN SWIMSUIT Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios --- BEST IN EVENING GOWN Philippines, Michelle Dee --- BEST IN QUESTION AND ANSWER (Q&A) Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios --- TOP MODEL Australia, Moraya Wilson --- MOST ELEGANT Colombia, Camila Avella --- Photos: Miss Universe RELATED POSTS: Miss Universe 2023: A night of firsts, the semifinalists who

The 72nd Miss Universe final competition in El Salvador on Saturday night was undoubtedly the edition with the most inclusive set of semifinalists in the history of the Miss Universe pageant. Here are the reasons why: Cameroon, Issie Princesse (Top 20)  - First representative from Cameroon to place in the semifinals since her country made its debut at Miss Universe in 2020. Colombia, Camila Avella (Top 5)  - First mother to win Miss Universe Colombia and represent her country at Miss Universe. She was also the first mother contestant to make it all the way to the Top 5. El Salvador, Isabella García-Manzo (Top 10)  - First representative from El Salvador to enter the Top 10 in more than 25 yeas. Her country's last placement was during Miss Universe 1996. Namibia, Jameela Uiras (Top 20)  - First representative from Namibia to enter the semifinals in two decades. The country's last placement was 20 years ago during Miss Universe 2003. Nepal, Jane Dipika Garrett (Top 20)  - First p

The Top 5 finalists of the 72nd Miss Universe final competition were each given 30 seconds to answer questions directly from the members of the selection committee. Whoever wins Miss Universe 2023 will be representing the Miss Universe Organization for an entire year traveling the world as an ambassador and using the platform to advance the greater good. The nerve-racking question and answer round is their opportunity to prove to the panel they have what it takes to do the Miss Universe job. Here's how they answer the questions: Iris Mittenaera: How would you use the Miss Universe platform to promote global gender equality? Miss Australia, Moraya Wilson: "I would use the Miss Universe platform to push a message. I think this community is strong and when we bond together we can create changes and when it comes to gender equality, when we use our voice and we use our power to make a change that's when real movement happens." Janelle Commissiong: If you win tonight, wha

The 72nd Miss Universe has just concluded in San Salvador, El Salvador with Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua bagging her country's first ever Miss Universe title. Amid the much talked about victory, the black Whang-od-inspired gown worn by Michelle Dee of the Philippines during the Top 10 evening gown competition became one of the trending topics online. Fans were shocked the Filipina beauty did not advance to the Top 5 question and answer round following her stellar performance throughout the pageant. Many flocked to social media comments to express their disappointments. Michelle's gown made by the talented Filipino designer Mark Bumgarner was an ode to Apo Whang-od (also known as Maria Oggay), a traditional tattoo artist, from the Kalinga tribe in the Philippines. At the age of 106, Whang-od became the oldest woman to ever grace the cover of Vogue magazine. She practices the ancient art of batok, an indigenous form of tattooing through hand-tapping using a lemon tree thorn and

Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios bested 83 other contestants to be crowned Miss Universe 2023 on Saturday, November 18 at the Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda in San Salvador, El Salvador. The 23-year-old communications graduate, mental health activist, and audiovisual producer from Managua made history as the first-ever Nicaraguan representative to win the coveted Miss Universe title. She succeeds R'Bonney Gabriel of the USA. Anntonia Porsild of Thailand and Moraya Wilson of Australia were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Camila Avella of Colombia and Karla Guilfú Acevedo of Puerto Rico rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The Top 10 were Isabella García-Manzo of El Salvador, Camila Escribens of Peru, Michelle Dee of the Philippines, Athenea Pérez of Spain, and Diana Silva of Venezuela. Completing the Top 20 were the contestants from Cameroon, Issie Princesse, Chile, Celeste Viel, India, Shweta Sharda, Jamaica, Jordanne Levy, Namibia, Jameela Uiras, Nepal, Ja

The 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) final competition is happening tonight at the Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda in San Salvador, El Salvador. From a field of 84 equally beautiful, confident, and empowered women from all over the world vying for the job, one woman's life is about to change forever. Hosted by Maria Menounos, Olivia Culpo, and Jeannie Mai with Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall as backstage correspondents, tonight's show will also feature two live performances of 12-time Grammy winner John Legend. An esteemed selection committee who will select tonight's winner consists of model Halima Aden, singer Mario Bautista, actress and TV host Giselle Blondet, Miss Universe 1977 Janelle Commissiong, Miss Universe 2021 runner-up Nadia Ferreira, social media personality Avani Gregg, designer Carson Kressley, physician Connie Mariano, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, VP at Roku Sweta Patel, and former Miss Oregon USA Denise White. The remarkable R'Bonney Gab