Meet first transgender contestant at Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023

Daniela Victoria Arroyo González becomes the first-ever transgender contestant at Miss Universe Puerto Rico pageant


Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 pre-qualified contestants were recently announced and one of the most talked about is Daniela Victoria Arroyo González.

The transgender beauty and advocate for the rights of her own community made history by qualifying as one of the contestants in one most prestigious national pageants in Puerto Rico.

"Following my intuition most definitely and manifesting this is a start. I trust my heart and what the universe has written for me," she wrote on her social media.

"I have felt your support and I know that your emotion is just as strong as mine. I thank you all for the unconditional love," she added.

"Grateful and excited to take you with me on this journey. Let's make history together," she wrote in another post.

If Daniela succeeds in winning Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023, she will be the second transgender representative at Miss Universe next to Spain's Ángela Ponce.

Photo: Daniela Victoria / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Jennifer Barreto crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2026

Image
Jennifer Barreto of San Sebastián triumphed over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2026 on Thursday, June 25 in Caguas. The 27-year-old psychologist will represent Puerto Rico at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in the Caribbean island this November. Génesis Dávila of Arroyo was named first runner-up while Vivianie Díaz-Arroyo of Aguas Buenas, Nicole Marie Colón of Aibonito, and Chelsey García of Añasco were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Ariana Pagán of Orocovis, Natalia Molina of Salinas, and Krystal González of Utuado made the Top 8 while the representatives of Caguas, Carolina, Coamo, Dorado, Juana Díaz, Manatí and Toa Baja completed the Top 15 semifinalists. Born in Isabella, the new Miss Universe Puerto Rico holds a bachelor's degree in research pyschology and master's in psychology and clinical social work. She is currently a prevention specialist  for the United States Department of Defense. Jennifer was crowned by h...
Read more

Miss Universe Norway 2024 is Lilly Sødal from Kristiansand

Image
Lilly Sødal was crowned Miss Norway 2024 (Miss Universe Norway 2024) during the national competition held last Saturday, August 10 at Rebel in Oslo. The 21-year-old sustainability advocate from Kristiansand received her crown from her predecessor, last year's winner Julie Tollefsen. She will now prepare to represent Norway at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. No stranger to pageantry, Lilly is a former Miss Earth Norway who competed in Miss Earth 2022 in the Philippines where she made the Top 20. She also went to The Miss Globe 2023 pageant in Durrës, Albania, and placed in the Top 15. "Words can’t describe how grateful I feel right now. My big “unrealistic” dream since I was 17 became true this weekend, and I don’t know how I could ever express in words what this means to me, and how thankful I am," said the new Miss Universe Norway. "I am beyond excited to start this new chapter as Miss Universe Norway 2024, and to travel to Miss Universe in M...
Read more

California's Athenna Crosby crowned Miss World America 2024

Image
Athenna Crosby of California bested over 40 other contestants to win the Miss World America 2024 pageant on Sunday, November 17 in Seattle, Washington. The 26-year-old American-Venezuelan model and actress succeeds last year's winner Victoria DiSorbo and will now prepare to represent the United States of America at the 72nd Miss World. Kimberly Nwankolo of Oregon was named first runner-up while Anne Li of the District of Columbia, Aishwarya Kumar of Central Washington, and Heather Alexia Santos of Washington were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss World America is a devoted advocate for people with disabilities. Aside from modeling and acting, she is also a journalist, singer, and a TV presenter. No stranger to pageantry, Athenna is a former Miss California Teen USA who went on to compete at Miss Teen USA 2016 and made the Top 15. She also joined last year's Miss World America while representing Utah and placed first runner-up. The Miss World ...
Read more

Miss Supranational Slovakia 2023 is Simona Leskovská

Image
Former Miss Slovensko finalist Simona Leskovská has been officially appointed as Miss Supranational Slovakia 2023. Miss Slovakia organization made the announcement on Monday, April 3 via social media. The 31-year-old beauty is a well-known influencer and sports editor from Bratislava. She took part as one of the 12 finalists of Miss Slovensko 2015 and bagged the special title Miss Pierot for her beautiful hair. Simona succeeded last year's titleholder Jana Vozárová and will now prepare to represent her country at the Miss Supranational 2023 final in Poland this July. Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, has yet to win the Miss Supranational competition since its debut in 2013 with Luciána Čvirková. The country's highest achievements at the Poland-based international pageant were Top 10 placements in 2015 and 2016 courtesy of Petra Denková and Lenka Tekeljaková. Here's the new Miss Supranational Slovakia: View this post on Instagram A post shared by ...
Read more

Miss Universe Netherlands 2026 is Melissa Bottema from Groningen

Image
Melissa Bottema was proclaimed the winner of Miss Netherlands 2026 (Miss Universe Netherlands) on Saturday, June 27 at Studio 21 in Hilversum. The 25-year-old social worker, gymnastics coach and model from Groningen was crowned by her predecessor Nathalie Mogbelzada who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2025 last November in Bangkok, Thailand. The new Miss Netherlands is no stranger to pageantry. She has previously competed in Miss Intercontinental where she made the Top 20 and Miss Grand International where she placed 5th runner-up. Melissa will now prepare to represent the Netherlands at the Miss Universe 2026 beauty pageant to be held in Puerto Rico this November. "I am incredibly grateful for all the lovely messages. My phone has been blowing up, and it will take a few days before I've read and replied to everything. But please know that your kind messages certainly haven't gone unnoticed," she wrote online. Two other winners also emerged from last night's even...
Read more

Sisters Make History: Meet first Cuban siblings to simultaneously win national titles

Image
Havana, Cuba – A historic milestone in Cuban pageantry has been achieved as two sisters, Rachel Chang and Jennifer Chang, have been crowned to represent Cuba at two of the most prestigious international beauty pageants in the world. In a dazzling coronation ceremony filled with culture and elegance, the sisters made history as the first Cuban siblings to simultaneously hold national beauty titles. The event was held on August 16 in Hialeah Gardens, Florida. Rachel Chang, Miss Earth Cuba 2025, is a bilingual attorney, author, award-winning journalist, and former NFL cheerleader. With her advocacy "Silver Lining" which was inspired by her book The Little Fire Princess, Rachel is dedicated to empowering children and youth by encouraging them to embrace their inner fire to inspire change, heal, and shine. She will represent Cuba at the 25th anniversary edition of the Miss Earth pageant, a global platform promoting environmental protection and sustainability. Miss Earth 2025 will ...
Read more

Miss Universe Japan 2026 is Sayuki Ito from Fukuoka

Image
Sayuki Ito was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2026 on Tuesday, June 23 at the Shibuya City Cultural Center in Tokyo. The 26-year-old beauty from Fukuoka Prefecture will represent Japan at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. Jasmyn Mimi Johnson and Erika Watanabe were named the first and second runners-up, respectivel, while Seiyu Hata and Mone Gibo completed the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Japan succeeds last year's winner Kaori Hashimoto from Tochigi. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Japan Official (@missuniversejapan) Photos: Marai Ken, Miss Universe Japan / Instagram
Read more

SPOTLIGHT: Miss Grand Czech Republic 2023 Sophia Maria Osako

Image
A fashion model and political science student from Prague, Sophia Maria Osako, will represent the Czech Republic in the upcoming Miss Grand International 2023. The 19-year-old was proclaimed Miss Grand Czech Republic 2023 in a national final held last May at Forum Karlín where reigning Miss Grand International Isabella Menin and MGI President Nawat Itsaragrisil attended as special guests. Sophia succeeded last year's winner, Mariana Bečková, who clinched an impressive fourth runner-up finish among 68 competitors at the 10th Miss Grand International pageant held in Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia. Born to a bicultural family, the new Miss Grand Czech Republic inherited her looks from her model and designer Czech mother, and her musical singing talent from her Japanese father. Her exquisite beauty made her a successful international model working for some of the world's leading luxury brands. Aside from her talent and undeniable physical attributes, she has a passion for helping othe...
Read more

Miss Philippines Earth 2026 is Rina Andrea Delos Santos of Ballesteros, Cagayan

Image
Rina Andrea Delos Santos of Ballesteros, Cagayan was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2026 on Saturday, June 27 at the Cultural Center of Malitbog, Bukidnon. The 27-year-old medical technology graduate edged out over 30 other contestants to win the national pageant. She will represent the Philippines at Miss Earth 2026 later this year. Prima Joy Alamban of Tumauini, Isabela was named Miss Philippines Air while Alyssa Mildred Villariña of Mandaluyong; Patricia Bangug of Agoo, La Union; and Roveelaine Eve Castillo of Siocon, Zamboanga Del Norte; were awarded the Miss Philippines Water, Fire, and Eco-Tourism titles, respectively. The representatives of Cebu City, Kirsten Dawn Delerio; Passi, Iloilo, Hana Tiffany Christen; Malaybalay, Nicole Grace Ampong; Marikina, Alyssa Rae Zabala; and Tupi, South Cotabato, Mary Ganaba were announced the runners-up. Last year's winner Joy Barcoma of Bacoor was not able to attend the show. The new Miss Philippines Earth received the crown from...
Read more

Miss Universe Ireland 2026 is Aideen Howard from Limerick

Image
Aideen Howard beat over 20 other contestants to win Miss Universe Ireland 2026 on Saturday, June 20 at the Bonnington Hotel in Dublin. The 22-year-old model and student from Castletroy, Limerick, was crowned by her predecessor Aadya Srivastava from Galway. She will now prepare to represent Ireland at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. Leah Sheehan, also from Limerick, and Eileen Coyle from Derry were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Originally from Boston, the new Miss Universe Ireland moved to Limerick at age 12. In her bio for the pageant, she said, "Moving countries at a young age taught me the importance of kindness, empathy, and making others feel included." "Having experienced major life changes throughout my childhood, I understand how overwhelming and lonely life can feel, which is why I value creating a positive, welcoming environment for others," she added. Aideen also said: "I aspire to be someone young girls and boy...
Read more