The 72nd Miss Universe pageant was held on November 19, 2023, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The pageant was hosted by Steve Harvey and Olivia Culpo, and featured 86 contestants from around the world. This year’s competition was particularly special for several reasons:
Diversity and Inclusion
After years of criticism for its lack of diversity, the Miss Universe Organization has made a concerted effort to be more inclusive. This year’s pageant featured contestants from a wider range of backgrounds than ever before, including transgender women, married women, and plus-size women.
Breaking Barriers
This year’s pageant also saw several groundbreaking moments. Maria Camila Avella Montañez from Colombia and Michelle Cohn from Guatemala were the first mothers and married women to compete in the pageant. Their participation marked a significant shift in the perception of what it means to be a Miss Universe contestant.
Empowerment
The Miss Universe pageant is more than just a beauty contest. It is a platform for women to empower themselves and inspire others. This year’s contestants were all strong, intelligent, and accomplished women who used their platform to promote important causes.
The Winner
Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was crowned Miss Universe 2023. Palacios was a vocal advocate for climate change awareness and used her platform to raise awareness about the issue.
The 72nd Miss Universe pageant was a night of celebration, diversity, and empowerment. It was a reminder that beauty comes in many forms, and that women are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.
Here are some of the other highlights of this year’s Miss Universe pageant:
- The pageant was hosted in the United States for the first time since 2014.
- The pageant featured a new swimsuit segment that was designed to be more inclusive and body positive.
- The pageant was broadcast live in over 190 countries.
