See Her Seems to be – WWD

Miss Spain Athenea Paulinha Pérez was named Miss Congeniality on Saturday in the course of the 2023 Miss Universe competitors in Sal Salvador, El Salvador.

The mannequin received the honour after the delegates voted for the competitor who impressed her friends with kindness, positivity and enthusiasm. In remarks shared by hosts Zuri Corridor and Catriona Grey, Pérez mentioned that “her greatest concern this week was forgetting this was a contest as a result of she was so busy socializing and making pals.”

Pérez is being celebrated for greater than being a steward of sisterhood. She made historical past as the primary girl of shade to carry the title of Miss Spain.

“I consider that range is the long run and I’m an instance of it,” Pérez mentioned in an interview section. “Presently, I’m collaborating with youngsters’s villages with immigrant moms and single-parent households as a result of I used to be raised by a single mom who’s an immigrant and black girl.” She continued, “I do know that my story might help to encourage different folks. Range is right here, and variety is now — it’s immediately.”

Pérez, who ranked among the many prime 10 finalists, introduced a number of appears. She paid tribute to Spain’s traditions in a flamenco-inspired gown by Siempreviva that featured dramatic ruffles across the prepare and wrists. Throughout the night robe section she selected a glowing gold gown that integrated allover sequins and enormous cutouts.

For the swimsuit spherical, she selected a bikini designed by Rubin Singer, the Miss Universe Group’s collaborator for its first merchandise line. The opening quantity noticed her in a blue one-shoulder cocktail gown by Clarisse Designs, which supplied clothes worn by all delegates for the opening numbers, and Jojo Bragais was the footwear sponsor.

2023 represented essentially the most inclusive and various Miss Universe pageant in its 72-year historical past. Along with Spain’s first delegate of shade, restrictions on age and marital standing ended. Two rivals had been their nation’s first transgender representatives — Miss Portugal Marina Machete and Miss Netherlands Rikkie Kollé. In 2018, Miss Spain Ángela Ponce turned the primary transwoman within the competitors after guidelines modified 5 years earlier. Miss Guatemala Michelle Cohn and Miss Colombia Camila Avella debuted as the primary rivals who’re at the moment married. Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett was the pageant’s first plus dimension delegate, and Miss Pakistan Erica Robin was the primary competitor to put on a burkini in the course of the swimsuit spherical.

The pageant’s fashionable makeover started final yr after Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, a transgender businesswoman, bought the Miss Universe Group for $20,000,000. She promised that below her course, the pageant can have the “transformational management with a view to improve the group’s longstanding heritage.”

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios was named the winner of Miss Universe 2023. Miss Australia Moraya Wilson was first runner up, and Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild was additionally one of many prime three finalists. Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel of the USA introduced Palacios with a crown created by Mouawad, the official jeweler for the Miss Universe Group since 2019.