The 2023 Miss Universe pageant is right around the corner. The event, which will be held November 18th, 2023 in El Salvador, will see R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States crown her successor. And with the countdown to the event ticking down, the candidates for that crown are set for countries in Latin America.
In addition, for the first time in 66 years, Miss Universe will allow married women and women with children to compete. Among the contestants who will participate in the 2023 edition of the contest because of this rule change are Miss Colombia, Camila Avella, and Miss Guatemala, Michelle Cohn. The pageant is also set to feature the second transgender woman to ever compete, Rikkie Kollé of the Netherlands.
Starting next year, Miss Universe has also lifted the age requirement, allowing women older than 28 to compete for the first time. This will lead to a more inclusive pageant.
There has already been some controversy surrounding the Latin American contestants, with Miss Argentina criticized for her Colombian roots and Miss Dominican Republic criticized for not being fluent in Spanish. And even though we will set aside all of that and focus on cheering for the women who will represent us at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, these conversations are important.
It’s also important to acknowledge the distinct lack of representation when it comes to the many skin tones and communities within Latin America when we look at the contestants listed below. We are not a monolith and it’s time to show that through those who represent us on a world stage.