Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua crowned Miss Universe

KATHMANDU: Sheynnis Palacios has been crowned the 72nd Miss Universe.

She fended off the challenge of Miss Australia Moraya Wilson and Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild to become the first contestant from her country to win the coveted beauty pageant. The 23-year-old is a TV host and model.

A total of 84 contestants participated in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant.

Nepal’s contestant, Jane Deepika Garrett, made it into the Top 20. She was hailed by international media as the first plus-sized model in the Miss Universe pageant, with some terming her inclusion in the world’s most famous beauty contest as a win for body positivity and representation.