Miss Nicaragua wins 2023 Miss Universe pageant

Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned the 2023 Miss Universe at the annual beauty pageant, which took place on Saturday night in El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador.

Twenty semi-finalists were announced at the beginning of Saturday night’s proceedings following the results of the preliminary competition (and a global fan vote).

After the swimsuit round, the field was narrowed to 10 — seeing the elimination of the first “curvy” contestant to make the pageant’s semi finals, Miss Nepal, as well as the first contestant to choose a burkini as their swimsuit, Miss Pakistan.

The evening gown round cut the number of contestants in half again.

Miss Colombia, Camila Avella, and Miss Puerto Rico, Karla Guilfú, rounded out the top five, while another member of the top 10, Spain’s Athenea Pérez, was crowned the pageant’s Miss Congeniality.

Anntonia Porsild of Thailand placed as first runner-up.

Palacios succeeds the 2022 Miss Universe, R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA.