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After nearly six decades, Cuba is making a comeback on the global beauty pageant stage with Marianela Ancheta set to represent the country at the Miss Universe competition. The Cuban-born model and businesswoman, now residing in the U.S., was crowned Miss Cuba at a formal gala held tonight in Miami's Milander Center in Hialeah.
Ancheta, hailing from Villa Clara, outshined 23 other finalists, all of whom had been selected from a pool of over 1,500 contestants. Her journey to the title was a months-long process filled with rigorous rounds of interviews, personality assessments, and challenges aimed at selecting the best possible representative for Cuba.
The new Miss Cuba
"I want to inspire young girls, especially Cuban girls, to follow their dreams," said Ancheta to the Latin Times. With mental health advocacy as her platform, Ancheta has committed to launching workshops and initiatives that encourage open discussions on mental health. "Seeking help is not a weakness, it's a strength," she emphasized during the pageant's final interviews.
The competition was fierce, with Alina Robert, Miss La Habana and an established actress, coming in as the first runner-up. Robert, widely known for her role in Disney+ series "The Roar of the Butterflies," had been a fan favorite. The second runner-up, Maylin Hernández, Miss Granma, brought a unique perspective to the competition as a former National Ballet of Cuba dancer turned psychologist.
The highly anticipated two-hour event kicked off with contestants dressed in short blue dresses, performing a dance routine to a medley of iconic Celia Cruz songs, sung by Grammy-winning Cuban artist Aymée Nuviola. Nuviola also performed live during the swimsuit segment, where the number of finalists was narrowed down from 24 to 12, then to six, and finally, three.
Adding to the night's excitement, musical acts by Cuban singers Lenier and Génesis provided the perfect backdrop as the contestants transitioned from swimsuits to glamorous evening gowns.
Ancheta, who also won the Miss Photogenic title, was crowned by Osmel Sousa, the legendary pageant director best known for leading Miss Venezuela to global pageant success. Sousa, born in Cuba, nostalgically recalled watching Cuba's last Miss Universe finalist, María Rosa Gamio Fernández, who finished as third runner-up in 1957. "I hope tonight's winner can achieve the same, if not more," Sousa remarked as he placed the crown on Ancheta's head.
Other awards during the night included Miss Interactiva, won by Miss Artemisa Leanny González, Miss Personalidad awarded to Miss Matanzas Lissandra Burgos, and Miss Elegancia received by Miss Cienfuegos Arlety González.
The Miss Cuba organization was spearheaded by Venezuelan entrepreneur Prince Julio César, supported by a team of Cuban and Venezuelan experts. Together, they trained the contestants in public speaking, runway walking, modeling, and general culture, ensuring that Cuba's next Miss Universe representative would be well-prepared for the international stage.
Marianela Ancheta will compete in the 2024 Miss Universe competition, scheduled to take place at Arena CDMX in Mexico City on November 16, where she will aim to bring home the crown after nearly 60 years of Cuba's absence from the prestigious event.
The reigning Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua, will pass on her title during the grand event.
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