11 surprising details from the 2023 Miss Universe pageant that you might've missed

Pérez, who placed in the top 10, said in her Miss Universe introduction video that she was raised by a single immigrant mother.

"I know that my story can help and inspire people," Pérez said. "Diversity is here, and diversity is now, it's today."

The 27-year-old is an advocate for racial equality in Spain and is using her platform to fight against interpersonal violence.

Robin, who was the first woman to represent Pakistan in the pageant, wore a baby-pink burkini as she strutted across the Miss Universe stage.

Robin said in her Miss Universe bio that she "received some backlash from different sectors of the community" in Pakistan after she decided to compete, but she wanted to stand up for what she believes in.

"Despite these criticisms, I was ready to face any challenges ahead of me while maintaining my values as a young modern Pakistani woman, representing our rich culture and heritage, and showing the world that Pakistan can celebrate the success of women," she added.

She placed in the top 20 at the pageant.

Viel's mother Paula Caballero has also held the Miss Chile title.

"I have her with me in all of this process," Viel recently told HOLA. "I'm living the same emotions that she lived, and that's priceless to me. She's accompanied me throughout this whole process and has shared some of what she's experienced."

Viel placed in the top 20 at this year's competition.

Garrett is using her Miss Universe platform to advocate for mental and hormonal health, revealing that she has struggled with depression caused by her PCOS.

"I am a determined, resilient, and genuine woman who embraces her true essence and nature without fear," her Miss Universe bio reads. "My life experiences have molded me into the strong, bold, and courageous woman I am today."

Avella, who is a journalist and mother, made it to the top five at Miss Universe.

The pageant queen recently told HOLA that she competed for the Miss Colombia title in 2018 but wasn't selected. After the Miss Universe organizers announced that mothers and married women could compete in August 2022, she decided to try again.

Miss Spain Angela Ponce was the first transgender woman to compete at Miss Universe in 2018, and Machete will now join her in the history books after placing in the top 20 on Saturday night.

The 28-year-old flight attendant is also the first transgender contestant to win Miss Portugal.

"I'm most proud of the challenges I overcame with courage and strength," Machete wrote in her Miss Universe bio. "Leading me to develop humanity and kindness towards others in my life."

Voigt — who placed in the top 20 — won Miss USA in September, becoming the first Miss Utah to take the title since 1960.

The 24-year-old previously told Business Insider that she began competing in pageants when she was 16 and placed first runner-up three times before making it to the Miss USA stage.

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfú Acevedo, and Miss Nepal Jane Garrett all used their platforms to discuss their struggles with anxiety.

After it was revealed that Miss Spain Athenea Pérez won this year's Miss Congeniality title, backstage correspondents Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall revealed that no Miss Congeniality has ever taken home the Miss Universe crown.

In her introduction video after making the top 20, Miss Peru Camila Escribens said she wanted to compete in track and field at the Olympics before she was diagnosed with a rare brain disease.

Escribens made it to the top 10 of the Miss Universe competition.

Some women spent days traveling to the Miss Universe competition, which was held at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador.

But Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo lived just around the corner.

The 20-year-old placed in the top 10 of the competition.