Miami/Marianela Ancheta, a model and businesswoman residing in the United States after leaving Cuba at the age of 13, was chosen this Thursday in Miami as the island’s first representative to the Miss Universe pageant after 57 years of absence from that country in that international contest. .
The new Miss Universe Cuba won the crown after going through a selection process of several months, which culminated with a formal gala that took place in Miami and was broadcast by the MegaTV channel.
Ancheta will represent Cuba in the 2024 edition of Miss Universe, which will take place in Mexico City on November 16. There the current queen, the Nicaraguan Sheynnis Palacios, will present the crown.
The Cuban woman has mental health as her flag and promised to promote that conversation
“Everything we are doing in this contest is to make it an inspiration for all girls, especially all Cuban girls and young women,” the winner, who was selected among the 24 finalists, who participated in a selection process, told EFE. several months, which began with more than 1,500 applicants. Born in the city of Villa Clara, Ancheta represented the ‘Central Region’.
The Cuban has mental health as her banner and committed to promoting that conversation. In personality interviews during the gala, the new Miss Universe Cuba promised to do workshops on the topic so that people know “that seeking help is okay.”
The first finalist was actress Alina Robert, Miss Havana, who was one of the favorites and best known for her work in the Disney + series “The Scream of the Butterflies.”
In third place was Maylin Hernández, Miss Granma, a psychologist who had been a dancer with the National Ballet of Cuba.
In interviews with EFE, the contestants, among whom there were women born in Cuba or abroad, to Cuban parents, agreed to highlight the importance of “opening the largest possible windows towards freedom” through the contest.
The new Miss Cuba, who was also chosen as Miss Photogenic, was crowned by the representative of the Miss Universe organization Osmel Sousa, known for his four decades in charge of the Miss Venezuela organization.
Born on the Island, the so-called Tsar of Beauty, confessed that the pageant had transported him back in time.
“This reminds me of many things from my childhood. The last year I saw Miss Cuba on television, the girl was one of the five finalists for Miss Universe. I hope that whoever wins tonight does the same, at least,” he said. when remembering María Rosa Gamio Fernández, Miss Cuba 1957, who was the third finalist.
The contest was led by the Venezuelan businessman Julio César Cruz, who goes by his stage name Prince Julio César, with the support of Cuban and Venezuelan businessmen, and a team of trainers who worked with the contestants in public speaking, projection, modeling, catwalk, general culture and dance.
The ceremony, led by Cuban artists Ayilín Mujica and William Valdés, began with the candidates doing a choreography to the rhythm of a medley of songs by Celia Cruz
The ceremony, led by Cuban artists Ayilín Mujica and William Valdés, began with the candidates doing a choreography to the rhythm of a medley of songs by Celia Cruz, performed by Aymée Nuviola.
The Cuban artist also sang while the candidates did their swimsuit parade and before the number was reduced to 12 semi-finalists, which was later reduced to 6 and finally to three.
The candidates received serenades from Cuban artists Lenier and Génesis, who sang some of their best-known songs, while they paraded first in a swimsuit and then in a gala dress.
During the gala, sashes were also awarded to Miss Interactiva, which was left in the hands of Miss Artemisa, Leanny González; Miss Personality, to the candidate from Matanzas, Lissandra Burgos, and Miss Elegance, to the representative of Cienfuegos, Arlety González.
