PAGEANT Circle

Lina Luaces was crowned Miss Universe Cuba 2025 in a national competition held last July 8 at Milander Park in Hialeah, Florida, USA. The 22-year-old model representing Santiago de Cuba succeeds last year's winner Marianela Ancheta who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico. Lisbeth Fernández of Pinar del Río and Vanessa Villareal of Región Oriente were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Mia Donadio of Isla de la Juventud and Sheila Laza of Región Central rouded out the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Cuba will head to Thailand to compete in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant this November. Born in Miami to Lebanese roots, Lina is the daughter of Cuban presenter Lili Estefan and businessman Lorenzo Luaces, and the niece of Cuban-American musician and film producer Emilio Estefan and Cuban singer and actress Gloria Estefan. She is also related to Mexican singer, songwriter and actress Thalia. In a recent post on social media, Lin...

After 57 years, Cuba is set to return to the Miss Universe pageant with the newly crowned Miss Universe Cuba 2024 Marianela Ancheta. The 31-year-old entrepreneur representing the Central Region beat 23 other contestants to win the national competition held on Thursday, September 26 in Miami, Florida. She also bagged the Miss Photogenic award. Alina Robert and Maylin Hernández were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. "Today has been a day full of emotion and gratitude, going through media and sharing this achievement with all of you. I don't have enough words to thank you for all the support and love you have given me since the beginning," said the new Miss Universe Cuba. "This triumph is not only mine, it is of every Cuban who dreams, fights, and never gives up and of all the people who follow me. Let's go all out to Miss Universe," she added. Marianela will now prepare to represent Cuba at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this Nove...