Meet the Latina contestants competing for the Miss Universe 2024 crown (Updating)

With Miss Universe 2024 just days away, meet the Latina contestants competing in the world’s most famous beauty pageant. The event will take place on November 16th at Mexico City’s Arena Ciudad de México, where a new beauty queen will be crowned as the successor to Sheynnis Palacios.

This year’s Miss Universe 2024 competition will be historic and groundbreaking, featuring a record 130 contestants. Notably, Cuba returns to the Miss Universe stage for the first time in 57 years, while Uruguay rejoins the lineup after last year’s absence.

The competition’s commitment to inclusivity brings a vibrant range of diversity to the 2024 Miss Universe stage. This year’s contestants include proud mothers from countries like Venezuela, Honduras, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Puerto Rico, as well as others, like Miss Colombia, who are entering the pageant engaged to their partners.

Latina contestants competing for Miss Universe 2024

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Argentina, Magalí Benejam

Magalí Benejam, 29, is representing Argentina in Miss Universe 2024. Originally from Córdoba, she launched her modeling career as a teenager and later moved to Chile, where she worked for several years before relocating to Mexico to advance her career. In addition to modeling, Magalí has studied coaching and astrology and is fluent in English and Italian.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Bolivia, Juliana Barrientos

Juliana Barrientos, 27, hails from Cochabamba and boasts an impressive resume. Besides being considered the most beautiful woman in her country, she is a biochemist specializing in molecular biology, speaks five languages, and is an accomplished pianist.One of her biggest dreams is for Bolivia to shine in the field of scientific research, hoping major projects will develop in her country.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Brazil, Luana Cavalcante

Luana Cavalcante, 25 years old, is the proud representative of Brazil. She is not only an international model but also a mother. She welcomed her son, Peter, at the age of 19. Luana made history in her country by being the first mother to be crowned Miss Universe Brazil.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Chile, Emilia Dides

Emilia Dides, 25, is Chile’s representative. She is a model, composer, and professional singer. She studied at the Escuela Moderna de Música y Canto, the Alicia Puccio Academy, and the Conservatory of Music at the Universidad Mayor.Her musical repertoire includes songs such as Inevitable and Alter Ego, which she has released on various platforms. She is also known as “Emi D” and began her career in entertainment on the TV show Rojo: El color del talento (TVN) in 2019.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Colombia, Daniela Toloza

Daniela Toloza, 30 years old, represents Colombia, specifically the Valle de Cauca region. The model has become an inspiration by sharing her personal journey with the world.A few years ago, Toloza weighed 233 pounds (106 kilograms), and her health was at risk. After making a life-changing decision, she underwent gastric bypass surgery at 22 years old. Thanks to this, along with a healthy regimen and attention to her mental health, she turned her life around, becoming a beacon of resilience.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Costa Rica, Elena Hidalgo

Elena Hidalgo, 32 years old, represents Costa Rica. She has a background in digital marketing and is the mother of a six-year-old daughter named Mila Sofía.Hidalgo made history by being the first mother representing a Central American country in a beauty pageant.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Cuba, Marianela Ancheta

Marianela Ancheta, 31, is making history as the first Cuban representative to participate in Miss Universe in 57 years. Originally from Ranchuelo, Villa Clara, she is a model and was crowned a few months ago in Miami.To achieve her dreams, Marianela and her mother left Cuba, journeyed through Mexico, and eventually settled in the United States. While working two jobs and studying, she washed bathrooms, cleaned banks, and worked as a salesperson, among other jobs. But each sacrifice was worth it.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Ecuador, Mara Topic

Mara Topic, 29, is Ecuador’s representative. She is originally from Guayaquil and has Croatian heritage through her father. Mara is no stranger to beauty pageants, representing her country in competitions such as Miss Grand International 2019 and Miss World Ecuador 2019.She has also excelled as a film director, producer, and international model.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss El Salvador, Florence García

Florence García, 25, proudly represents El Salvador. She is a model and T.V. host and resides in Miami, Florida.She has participated in competitions such as Miss Grand USA and Miss United Continents. Interestingly, in 2023, she traveled to El Salvador for the pageant held in her country, where she expressed her desire to represent her country on the international stage. Now, that dream has become a reality.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Spain, Michelle Jiménez

At just 21 years old, Michelle Jiménez is a true example of resilience. Of Dominican descent, she was born in Barcelona and represents Spain in this year's beauty pageant.She spent six years—almost her entire adolescence—in foster care due to growing up in a toxic environment. While in care, she developed her potential, completed her studies, and now wears the crown as the queen she has become.

Miss Universe 2024: Miss Guatemala, Ana Gabriela Villanueva

Ana Gabriela Villanueva, 22, is originally from the Santa Rosa department. The young woman, the daughter of a Mexican father and Guatemalan mother is studying to get a Law and Social Sciences degree.She was the first runner-up in her country’s pageant, but after the winner’s resignation, Ana Gabriela stepped in and now carries the great responsibility of representing her country.