Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 Karla Guilfú Acevedo returns home to Patillas


Over two weeks after winning the coveted Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023, Karla Guilfú Acevedo has returned to her hometown Patillas.

The 24-year-old beauty originally from Esmeralda del Sur, was overjoyed to receive a heartwarming welcome upon her return on Saturday following her successful stint in the national competition.

Karla is set to represent Puerto Rico in the upcoming 72nd Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2023) in El Salvador this November.

Known for her incredible first runner-up finish at Miss Supranational 2021, the psychology graduate student is expected to do very well at Miss Universe and hopefully bring home the sixth crown for Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico's past Miss Universe winners were Zuleyka Rivera (2006), Denise Quiñones (2001), Dayanara Torres (1993), Deborah Carthy (1985), and the late Marisol Malaret (1970).

Photos: Jalimar Febo, Brandon Cruz / Wapa.TV

RELATED POSTS:



Popular posts from this blog

Miss Denmark 2026 is Simone Julie Lythje from Silkeborg

Image
The Miss Denmark 2026 pageant, celebrating its 100th anniversary, took place on Sunday, September 13, at the renowned Cirkusbygningen in Copenhagen. Simone Julie Lythje, a 21-year-old teaching assistant from Silkeborg, Jutland, has been named the new Miss Denmark. She was presented with her crown by her predecessor, Josephine Bøttger, who recently participated in Miss World 2026 held in Vietnam. Another notable winner from the event was 23-year-old Anne-Marie Olsvig Lauritzen from Ilulissat, who earned the title of Miss Greenland 2026. The competition also recognized Sofie Klivager Andersen, Helena Heiselberg Kjær, Maiken Bruun, and Susanne Saad as the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 15 were Johanna Katrine Mielcke, Thea Lyngvig Hermann, Xenia Sofia Miller, Tilde Nilsson, Maja Roed, Nikoline Sommer Hedegaard, Andrea Ziir, Josefine Oehlenschlæger, and Emma Sofie Dahl. Photo: Hasse Ferrold / MissDanmark.dk
Read more

Miss Universe Hong Kong 2026 is Jennifer Kraft Zhou

Image
Jennifer Kraft Zhou was crowned the winner of the Miss Universe Hong Kong 2026 pageant on Friday, September 18 at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. The 27-year-old content creator surpassed 14 other contestants to secure the title. She received her crown from her predecessor, last year's champion Lizzie Li. Alexis Leung and Angeline Leung earned the positions of first and second runners-up, respectively. Melanie Siu and Kevina Kwong completed the Top 5 finalists. The newly crowned Miss Universe Hong Kong will compete for Hong Kong at the 75th Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2026) competition in Puerto Rico this November. "I won. I'm very thankful for all your support. It's very emotional,," Jennifer expressed on social media, extending her gratitude to her dedicated online community as well as her family and friends for standing by her. Photo: Miss Universe Hong Kong
Read more

FAVORITES: Miss World 2026 FINAL Top 15 favorites

Image
Following weeks of rigorous pre-pageant events and competitive challenges, the 73rd Miss World pageant will reach its grand finale on Saturday, September 5, in Nha Trang, Vietnam. A remarkable 111 contestants from around the world will come together on stage to vie for the prestigious crown, which is currently held by the reigning Miss World, Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand. Who will be crowned Miss World 2026? Meet our Top 15 final favorites: (in alphabetical order) Bolivia - Vanessa Kraljevic Brazil - Gabriela Botelho Chile - Ignacia Fernández Czech Republic - Linda Górecká Denmark -  Josephine Bøttger Dominican Republic - Joheirry Mola Eritrea - Snit Tewoldemedhin France -  Indira Ampiot India -  Nikita Porwal Malaysia - Taanusiya Chetty Nigeria - Tamunosoye Karibi-George Philippines - Asia Rose Simpson Spain - Elisabeth Reynés Venezuela - Mística Núñez Vietnam - Bao Ngoc Le Nguyen Special mentions: Belgium, Botswa...
Read more

France wins back-to-back Manhunt International titles

Image
Dylan Palmerini from France was declared the winner of the Manhunt International 2026 competition on Wednesday, September 9, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The 21-year-old model hailing from Marseille triumphed over more than 30 other contestants, achieving a remarkable back-to-back victory for his nation. He is now the third French winner of Manhunt International, following Adonis Renaud (2025) and Fabrice Bertrand Wattez (2002). Nipun Singh from India secured the title of first runner-up, while Lucas Díaz from Puerto Rico, Samuel Ayeloja from Nigeria, and Tran Tien Dung from Vietnam were named the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The remaining Top 10 included Isanka Pramuditha from Sri Lanka (6th), Leandro Mendoza from the Dominican Republic (7th), Darío Meroño from Spain (8th), William Sin Kyu from Korea (9th), and Osdany Garcia from Cuba (10th). The Top 20 was rounded out by contestants from Canada, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Philippines, Singapore, South ...
Read more

Miss Finland 2026 is Veera Grönlund

Image
Veera Grönlund, a 30-year-old from Helsinki, was crowned Miss Suomi 2026 (Miss Finland 2026) on Saturday, September 5, at Hybridiarena Hype in Espoo. The passionate animal advocate and aspiring veterinarian will represent Finland at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this coming November. Aleksandra Sofia Hannusaari, 22, from Tampere, and Sofia Singh, 30, from Helsinki, were awarded the titles of first and second runners-up, respectively. The newly crowned Miss Finland takes over from Tara Lehtonen, last year's first runner-up, who assumed the title after the previous winner, Sarah Dzafce, was dethroned due to a racism scandal. "Yesterday, one of my biggest goals became reality and I was crowned Miss Finland 2026. I entered this competition to look for the brightest crown and I gave it my all until the end," Veera shared online the day after the competition. "As Miss Finland, I will boldly stand behind my values: courage, responsibility and justice. I will...
Read more

Puerto Rico's Ivana Carolina Irizarry crowned Universal Woman 2025

Image
Ivana Carolina Irizarry, representing Puerto Rico, was crowned Universal Woman 2025 on Saturday, August 10 in Jaipur, India. The 30-year-old model, presenter and businesswoman made history as the first Puerto Rican woman to clinch the international title. She succeeds last year's winner Maria Gigante of the Philippines. Iris Miguélez of Spain was named first runner-up while Ismelys Velásquez of Venezuela, Katty López España of Ecuador, and Roci Pankov of Brazil were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Universal Woman is no stranger to pageantry. She took part in Miss International 2019, finishing in the Top 15, and also competed in Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024, where she reached the Top 5. Ivana was also a contestant during the second season of "Super Chef Celebrities" which is the most anticipated cooking reality show on Puerto Rican television. This year's glittering competition marked the third edition of the annual Universal Woman pa...
Read more

Aslihan Morali crowned Miss Universe Canada 2026

Image
Aslihan Morali, from Ancaster, Ontario, was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2026 on Saturday, August 8 at the Chrysler Theatre in Windsor. The Turkish-Canadian advocate, entrepreneur, model and actor succeeds last year's winner Jaime VandenBerg and will represent Canada at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. First runner-up Jabili Kandula was named Miss Cosmo Canada 2026 and will head to Vietnam for the Miss Cosmo 2026 competition later this year. Emilie Vos, Patricia Seward and Naomi Colford were announced the second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Canada has previously competed in Miss Supranational 2025 in Poland and bagged the Miss Congeniality award. Aslihan is a passionate humanitarian who founded the Leap Global Voices, an empowerment initiative dedicated to helping young girls recognize their potential and rewrite their own stories. "I believe deeply in the mission of the Miss Universe Or...
Read more

USA wins back-to-back Miss International Queen titles

Image
Lo Colby of the USA was crowned Miss International Queen 2026 on Saturday, September 19 at the Tiffany's Show Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand. The Hawaiian-born Thai-American transgender beauty based in Los Angeles bested 26 rival contestants to win the coveted title. She also bagged the Best in Talent award. Lo succeeds last year's winner and fellow American Midori Monét, securing an unprecedented back-to-back victory in Miss International Queen history. Theerachaya Pimkitidaj of Thailand and Saki Iwai of Japan were announced the fist and second runners-up, respectively. Contestants from Colombia, Catalina Vallejo, France, Ines Mess, and the Philippines, Red Spiegelman completed the Top 6 finalists. The rest of the Top 12 were from Brazil, Angel Gadelha, Costa Rica, Alejandra Vargas, Laos, Alisa Saengdala, Malaysia, Shazzyra Zahry, Venezuela, Daniela Marquina, and Vietnam, Nguyen Cao Minh Anh. After tonight's pageant, the USA now proudly holds four Miss International Queen ti...
Read more

Miss World 2026 is Joheirry Mola from the Dominican Republic

Image
Joheirry Mola Dominguez from the Dominican Republic bested 110 other contestants to win Miss World 2026 on Saturday, September 5 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. The 24-year-old model, teacher, news correspondent and advocate received the coveted crown and sash from her predecessor Opal Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand. She became the second woman from the Dominican Republic to become Miss World next to Mariasela Álvarez who won in 1982. Elisabeth Reynés of Spain and Taanusiya Chetty of Malaysia were announced the second and third placers, respectively. The contestants from Eritrea, Snit Tewoldemedhin, South Africa, Romanda Hombir, and Vietnam, Bao Ngoc Le Nguyen rounded out the Top 6 finalists. Completing the Top 12 were Gabriela Botelho of Brazil, Indira Ampiot of France, Tamunosoye Karibi George of Nigeria, Asia Rose Simpson of the Philippines, Adah Mushibi of Zambia, and Brunette Makanyiso of Zimbabwe. The new Miss World holds a degree in business management and administration from t...
Read more

Miss Universe Italy 2026 is Giada Folcia

Image
Giada Folcia bested 20 other contestants to win Miss Universe Italy 2026 last Sunday, August 30 at Villa Cafiero a San Ferdinando di Puglia. The 36-year-old Lombardi-born model, originally from Monza, will represent Italy at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Lucilla Nori. Victoria Masprone and Fania Sorrentino were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Natalia Mandryk and Antonietta Fragasso rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were Michelle Barone, Ariadna Muro Dian, Sara Schina, Naomi Zaccaria, and Clarissa Aurora Acanfora. The new Miss Universe Italy is no stranger to pageantry. She has previously placed first runner-up at the national pageant in 2024 and returned as finalist in 2025. "I'm feeling incredibly happy and grateful for all the love I've received, for everyone who shared these special moments with me and, of course, to [Miss Universe Italy] for believing in me and for the trus...
Read more