The Top 5 went head to head against each other in the Q&A portion
The Miss Universe pageant is not complete without the battle of the brains. More than being a role model, winners are determined based on how intelligent they are in answering questions—be it politically charged or otherwise.
Here’s the complete transcript of the question and answer portion for the Top 5: Australia, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Thailand, Colombia.
Australia (Moraya Wilson)
Question: “How would you use the Miss Universe platform to promote global gender equality?”
Answer: “I would use the Miss Universe platform to push a message. I think this community is strong, and when we bond together, we can create changes. And when it comes to gender equality, when we use our voice, when we use our power to make a change, that’s when real movement happens.”
Puerto Rico (Karla Guilfu)
IMAGE: Miss Universe
Question: “If you win tonight, what would you bring to the Miss Universe brand?”
Answer: “I would use that opportunity to show the world the relevance of beauty queens nowadays. I would use my activism regarding mental health and telling the world how it is important that if we use our voice to take up space, if we are courageous enough to be ourselves in this world, I would use the platform to reach and be that.”
Nicaragua (Sheynnis Palacios)
Question: “What qualities and values guide you as a leader and role model for others?”
Answer: “The quality that has inspired me and has inspired millions of women, of girls today is humility, and to be able to appreciate all of the little things because that’s where the most valuable thing is—the essence of being human.”
Thailand (Anntonia Porsild)
IMAGE: Miss Universe
Question: “If you could speak to a room full of students about online bullying, what would you say?”
Answer: “I would say to not listen to what people have to say. Because in the end, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But it is up to us on how we react to it.
Use our voice to stand up for what is right, and be the change we want to see in the world by leading by example. Don’t listen to the hate, because it doesn’t shape us. But what shapes us is how we get back up and how we move forward from that.”
Colombia (Camila Avella)
IMAGE: Miss Universe
Question: “If this was your last day on Earth, how would you live it?”
Answer: “I am already living because I am here. I am breaking stereotypes, being a woman, being a mother. Is to leave history—a legacy—something that I want to transmit to women, mothers, and children.
After the Top 5, the competition slimmed down to Top 3, wherein Thailand, Australia, and Nicaragua were asked the same question, “If you could live one year in another woman’s shoes, who would you choose and why?”
Thailand (Antonnia Porsild)
Answer: “I would choose Malala Yousafszai, because I know the struggles that she had to deal with in order to get where she is today. She had to fight for women’s education, and fight for all women to be able to stand strong and be the change and lead by example. If I could choose anyone, that would be her.”
Australia (Moraya Wilson)
Answer: “I would live my mother’s year in her birth year. Because she’s a very strong woman, she’s tough, she taught me how to work hard, she taught me how to be brave, how to be strong, and I’m forever grateful for those lessons she taught me.”
Nicaragua (Sheynnis Palacios)
Answer: “I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft because she opened the gap and gave an opportunity to many women. And what I would do, I would want that income gap would open up so women can work in any area that they choose to work in because there are no limitations for women. That was 1750, now in 2023, we’re making history.”
Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was proclaimed as the eventual winner of Miss Universe 2023. Her court is composed of Thailand and Australia who placed 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up finishers, respectively.
The 72nd edition of Miss Universe was held in El Salvador on Sunday, November 19, 2023.
READ ALSO: Nicaragua’s Sheynnis Palacios Crowned As Miss Universe 2023; PH Bet Michelle Dee Finishes Top 10
Banner Art Paulo Correa
