Sheynnis Palacios, a custom clothing shop customer in Manhattan, is preparing for her duties as Miss Universe by having a bespoke jacket made, which features a tribute to her late great-grandfather and elements symbolizing her home country, Nicaragua.
Ms. Palacios’s win marked a historic achievement as she became the first contestant from Nicaragua to claim the Miss Universe crown, leading to celebrations in her homeland. However, the celebratory mood shifted when the Nicaraguan government, initially supportive, began cracking down on her supporters, including the arrest of family members associated with the Miss Nicaragua contest.
Both Ms. Palacios and the contest’s director had participated in anti-government protests in 2018, which led to a violent government response. Following her victory, Ms. Palacios emerged as a symbol of resistance for many Nicaraguans.
As her tenure as Miss Universe concludes, Ms. Palacios has not returned to Nicaragua, navigating the complexities of her newfound status amidst political tensions. Although she expresses a desire to visit home, she remains cautious about discussing the government, citing her role as a global ambassador.
Despite the challenges, she maintains her intentions to return, emphasizing her connection to her country while noting her busy schedule involving travels across 31 countries over the past year.
Friends in Nicaragua await her return, hoping to celebrate her achievements as they did during her departure for the pageant. While rumors circulated about her being in "indefinite exile," Ms. Palacios refuted these claims, asserting that she has not been barred from returning to Nicaragua.
Born in Managua, she was raised in a humble setting and began her journey in beauty pageants at a young age, eventually winning multiple titles. Ms. Palacios has also faced economic struggles, notably helping her family sell street food to make ends meet.
Following her Miss Universe win, the Nicaraguan government launched a new beauty pageant, asserting their control over the narrative surrounding beauty contests in the country. The government has faced international scrutiny for its human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions and political repression since the protests.
Despite the risks, Ms. Palacios remains committed to her identity as a Nicaraguan and continues to celebrate her culture, cooking traditional Nicaraguan dishes with her family. She expresses pride in representing Nicaragua on a global stage and feels a deep connection with Nicaraguans worldwide.
In her experiences abroad, she has encountered fellow Nicaraguans and feels a strong sense of community, which fuels her motivation to continue her advocacy and connection to her homeland.