The story of overcoming Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023: “They criticized me for selling fritters, but that made me stronger”

In some way, Palacios’ success lies in his particular way of humanizing beauty. He does not hide the obstacles he encountered during his adolescence. Nor the mental health problems she has suffered: “All the challenges have made me the woman I am today.” The Nicaraguan had to deal with “negative” comments about “my height and my skin color.” Although this did not make me throw in the towel: “I cried many times and doubted my potential, but, deep down, my ability to improve motivated me to continue on my path.” Sheynnis, aware that these criticisms can destroy people’s dreams, asks them to stop: “It is very important that if we are fighting for a society of equality, equity and respect, these types of comments, which do not contribute anything positive in the lives of those who receive them, are avoided. “We do not have to vibrate from envy, but from the ambition to be a better person.”

She was also criticized for helping her mother with the family business. Palacios did not hesitate to promote and sell the buñuelos they made and some journalists called her “Miss Buñuelos” before winning the crown. Miss Universe. But Sheynnis, who knew that “I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” didn’t let it affect him: “I took those comments as ways to grow and get stronger. Although I shed many tears, they strengthened me to continue supporting my family’s entrepreneurship. “These criticisms are shortcomings in the lives of those who make them.” «I do not wish them harm, quite the opposite. I wish you much blessing, peace and love in your hearts,” she adds, proud of her actions, to this newspaper. Note that this way of life was instilled in her by her mother since she was little: «She is an example of resilience, strength and improvement. It has always given me great lessons to know how to face life. “He never stopped giving me the love I needed.”

Anxiety is another obstacle he has encountered in recent years. He even continues to deal with it: “Thinking about my past and my future leads me to experience anxious episodes. I can’t change what happened and I don’t know what will happen to me in the future. This has made me live through very difficult times, but also realize my true vocation, talking about the importance of mental health. Hundreds of people have thanked him for his great work since he has helped many, with his testimony, to know what they were experiencing, to not feel alone and to turn to professionals to find a solution: “It fills my soul.” Palacios knows that it is difficult not to have these fears, but he believes that when they occur, it is best to stop and think that what matters is “the present, what we are doing.”

The night you will never forget

There are many women who parade in Miss Universe seeking to become the most beautiful woman in the world. However, few can boast of having achieved it. For this reason, ABC wanted to know, first-hand, how Sheynnis Palacios lived the night she was crowned: «As the days went by, something inside me told me that I could win. My social networks were gaining more and more strength and I was receiving messages saying that I was going to be the winner. I was wondering, is it possible? I am a woman of faith. I prayed and asked God to choose a woman who was deserving and would work for love. And I won. Although to do so he had to overcome the different elimination phases: «My biggest fear was reaching the five finalists and not answering my question well. I remember that I began to breathe and repeat to myself that it was just another interview, that I should not be afraid.

Although, without a doubt, the moment that Sheynnis will not be able to forget is the one when she was proclaimed the winner of Miss Universe 2023: “I knew that that crown had been a gift from God, my faithful companion throughout this journey.” And how could it be otherwise, he remembered his loved ones, who have always been by his side regardless of the distance. “Then I saw the camera and because I knew my mother was watching me, I told her I loved her.” However, the most emotional moment was when he was able to talk to his entire family: “We screamed with excitement.” Of course, being the new representative of Miss Universe meant that she had to give up part of her life: «It is a job that requires being attentive 24 hours a day. It is a year in which you pause your personal life and dedicate yourself body and soul to your work, being a global ambassador of change. “My family and my partner understand me and support me in this stage and in those to come.”

A few hours after ending her reign, Sheynnis Palacios is clear about what she will do when she hands the crown to Miss Universe 2024: «The first thing will be to dance at the party that will take place that night. And then rest and share time with my loved ones. She also plans to continue with the projects that she could not do when she defeated her opponents in the seventy-second edition of the beauty pageant: “I am characterized by being a woman who always has new goals and it is obvious that I am going to start each one of them once.” let the reign end. “I want to continue collaborating with brands from all over the world, continue practicing my profession as a communications graduate and venture into the world of acting.” “Miss Universe 2023 has made me continue to believe in myself and the ability I have,” he concludes.