Marianela Ancheta is Miss Universe Cuba 2024

September 27, 2024

Cuba has its competitor for Miss Universe 2024, after 57 years without presence in the renowned beauty pageant. This year Cuban Marianela Ancheta will mark the historic return of the island as Miss Cuba 2024.

This Thursday Ancheta, who represented the Central Region, was selected by a jury made up of 17 personalities during a gala held at the Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment, in Hialeah, south Florida.

After an opening runway where they displayed opening gowns accompanied by music from Celia Cruz and another in swimwear with Aymée Nuviola singing live, 12 semifinalists were selected from the 24 candidates.

Later, three finalists were chosen where Ancheta was accompanied by the candidates from Granma, Marilyn Hernández, and Havana, actress Alina Robert. Finally the 31-year-old model prevailed as the best of all the candidates from the provinces of the island, as well as from the Cuban communities in exile.

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"I come from nothing and look where I am, look at yourselves in my mirror, no matter how many times they tell you 'no', never give up," Miss Universe Cuba 2024 said to the media after being crowned.

Acheta, originally from Ciego de Ávila, received the Miss Universe Cuba sash from Osmel Sousa, known as the 'Beauty Czar', who recalled that the last time Cuba competed in the pageant was in 1967 and the candidate back then was among the finalists, something he would like to see happen again.

Before the winner was revealed, Sousa assured that "I was a child and I remember watching the last Miss Universe in which Cuba participated and ended up among the finalists. This Cuban woman has to end up the same as the last one, among the finalists."

For his part, the national director of Miss Universe Cuba, Prince Julio César, gave recognition to Sousa for his contribution to the world of pageants and took the opportunity to affirm that now it is his turn to do what Sousa did for so many years: "My commitment is to give back to Cuba what he gave to my country," said the Venezuelan.

Marianela Ancheta, who in addition to being a model is an entrepreneur and influencer, commented that after being crowned to represent Cuba she has to prepare a lot for Miss Universe 2024 because "there are many high-level contestants and I want that crown to be for Cuba".

Ancheta was also awarded the prize for most photogenic. Other special awards went to the best skin (Miss Jardines de la Reina), best runway (Miss Holguín), best personality (Matanzas), most interactive (Artemisa), or friendliest (Miss South American Community). The most beautiful face was Miss Pinar del Río, Diane Barbano.

The gala was hosted by Aylín Mujica and William Valdés, and artists such as Aymée Nuviola, Génesis and Lenier performed while the candidates paraded. The jury was composed of members such as announcer Enrique Santos, Sissi Fleitas, Greidys Gil (Nuestra Belleza Latina 2009), Aymée Nuviola and Eduardo Antonio, the 'Divo de Placetas'.