Have beauty pageants outlived their appeal? Looking back at the pinnacle Miss Universe contest on Saturday, Nov. 18, the  results received such  mixed reactions that it makes viewers question the ranking system. Miss Nicaragua was selected as the next Miss Universe, with 1st runner up being Miss Thailand and 2nd runner up being Miss Australia. 

Some are saying that the votes were rigged; others deny those allegations entirely. “Mario Bautista was stating that he wanted Nicaragua to win. He for sure rigged the votes for her,” asserts sophomore Naylah Velasquez.

The disgruntled reactions made when the top five were chosen points toward the displeasure many felt. “Miss Nepal was such a beautiful young lady; she did not only represent her country, but she also had a very good title for her name,” Velasquez informs.

Miss Nepal did have a strong presence for her country. She talked about her body shaming experiences and how others should love and support girls who don’t look like a stereotypical model. For this, she was given the title of being the strongest and most confident contestant, as well as the  first  plus-size Miss Universe contestant who had the courage to come out and represent her country.

Others were also very upset because Miss El Salvador didn’t even make it into the top 5. She stayed in the top 10 and didn’t move from there. Considering that El Salvador was hosting this year’s event, many felt it was a slight against the country.

Regardless, 23-year-old Sheynnis Palacios, a Nicaraguan beauty model, was crowned Miss Universe for a year. She is the  first Nicaraguan to win the title of Miss Universe–and also the first from her country to win one of the four international beauty pageants.

Analysts say she was chosen for a valid  reason;  she was not chosen just because she was a beautiful young lady. Instead, she was chosen for outward poise and inner vivacity. “Overall, she did deserve the big achievement of being Miss Universe 2023,” Velasquez concludes.