Miss Universe Nicaragua will be chosen in Miami. Here’s how to get tickets
The beauty of Nicaraguan women will take center stage at the James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami on Thursday at Miss Universe Nicaragua 2025. The winner will represent the Central American country in the international Miss Universe pageant on Nov. 21 in Thailand.
Thirteen contestants will take to the stage in the hope of winning another crown for Nicaragua, which in 2023 celebrated their first Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios.
The winner of Miss Universe Nicaragua 2025 will wear the new crown, named "Sky and Freedom." Valued at $100,000, it was designed by Venezuelan designer Alejandro Arraiz and features Swarovski crystals inspired by the skies and seas of Nicaraguan. At its center, a blue stone mimics the silhouette of the flag.
The gala will be hosted by Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006, and Nicaraguan journalist Iván Taylor, who has worked for Telemundo, Univision and CBS. Argentine singer-songwriter Noel Schajris of the duo Sin Bandera will be the night's star performer.
First Miss Nicaragua Gala in Miami
This is the first time the pageant will be held in Miami. Local company Emporium Agency obtained the Miss Universe Nicaragua franchise in May from the Miss Universe organization. The effort to acquire the franchise was led by businessman Javier Paxtor, owner of El Guacalito restaurant, where the official Miss Universe Nicaragua candidates were presented on July 17.
The candidates' training was led by a team of beauty professionals headed by renowned Venezuelan stylist Juan Bautista, who worked with Sheynnis Palacios.
Among the Miss Nicaragua contestants are Aleida Josefa Pérez, representing the city of Chinandega, University of Florida alum; Massiel Córdoba Obando, a 28-year-old mother representing Masaya; Nathalya Pedroso, 22, who dreams of becoming an FBI agent and represents Jinotega; and Glennys Medina Segura, representing Rivas.
“I asked God if this was my year to send me a sign. That very night I dreamed of my dress,” Medina shared on Miss Universe Nicaragua's social media. "Don't give up because dreams are worth more than hate."
Miss Universe Nicaragua’s move to Miami came after the government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo accused the management of the Miss Nicaragua pageant of alleged conspiracy against the nation in 2023. Former director of the organization, Karen Celebertti, resigned in December of that year and went into exile.
Miss Universe Nicaragua isn’t the only pageant that takes place in Miami for the Miss Universe organization. Cubans have chosen their representative for the Miss Universe pageant in Miami since 2024, when Venezuelan designer and lawyer Prince Julio César obtained the Miss Universe Cuba franchise. This year, the winner was model Lina Luaces Estefan, succeeding Marianela Ancheta, the first Miss Universe Cuba in 57 years.
Miss Universe Nicaragua pageant, Sept. 4, 8 p.m. Tickets for Miss Universe Nicaragua can be purchased on Ticketmaster
This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 8:46 PM.
