PAGEANT Circle

Miss Universe Curacao 2022 Gabriëla Dos Santos received a warm welcome when she arrived back in her home country from the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans. The 20-year-old certified life coach managed to achieve a Top 5 placement among 84 contestants during the Miss Universe 2022 final telecast on January 14 despite having tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the competition. It was Curacao's third-highest placement at Miss Universe next to Annemarie Braafheid (Miss Universe 1968 first runner-up) and Verna Vasquez (Miss Universe 1997 Top 6 finalist). A welcome parade was organized for Gabriëla on Sunday, January 22 to celebrate her well-deserved success on the prestigious international stage. "Yesterday was an experience like no other. I am so grateful for the incredible welcome home parade I received from my dushi Kòrsou," she shared on social media. "Words cannot describe how touched and honored I felt to see people from all walks of life, young and old

Miss Universe Curacao Gabriëla Dos Santos has finally been able to return to the 71st Miss Universe competition following her ordeal with COVID-19 infection. The 20-year-old certified life coach had to be put under quarantine when she tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after her arrival in New Orleans for the international pageant. Despite not knowing if she will be able to make it back to the competition, the beauty queen remained optimistic amid her unfortunate situation. She said: "These moments of difficulty should motivate us to become even stronger. It is challenging, but I chose to look at the silver lining and accept that life is full of unexpected twists and turns." "No matter what comes our way, we must never give up on ourselves or our dreams. I feel empowered knowing that I'm stronger than any challenge and ready to conquer anything," she added. Gabriëla was allowed to join her fellow contestants and continue her fight for her Miss Universe dream a

Gabriela Dos Santos was crowned Miss Universe Curacao 2022 in a glittering event held at Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort in Willemstad on Saturday, May 28. The 20-year-old beauty from Willemstad edged out two other finalists to win her national title. She succeeds last year's titleholder, Shariengela Cijntje. Mariana Pietersz and Andreina Pereira were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Former Miss Universe Colombia and Miss Universe Top 5 finalist Valeria Ayos, and Miss Universe Colombia national director Natalie Ackerman were special guests at the recently held competition. The new Miss Universe Curacao will now prepare to represent Curacao at the 71st Miss Universe (Miss Universe 2022) pageant, whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Gabriela founded the Light4change foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness against cyberbullying. Curacao, a Dutch Caribbean island known for its beaches, has yet to win the Miss Universe pagea

Shariengela Cjintje bested seven other finalists to be crowned Miss Universe Curacao 2021 in a national competition held on Saturday, July 24 at the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort in Willemstad. The 28-year-old beauty was born in the Netherland and holds a master's degree in law. She authored a book "Release Your Amazon" and hopes "to inspire every woman and girl to live their dreams and every step I take is directed towards that goal." Shariengela succeeds last year's titleholder and Miss Universe 2020 Top 21 placer, Chantal Wiertz, and will now prepare to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel this December. Photo: Curacao Beauty Pageant Committee / Facebook