Miss Universe 2023 Winner Is Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios

Hours before the final, Palacious, who had competed in many pageants before, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram about fulfilling a childhood dream to take part in the global competition.

"Tonight I dedicate it to my inner child and to each of the girls who yearn to fulfill this dream," she wrote in Spanish, "even the sky itself is the limit, dream so big that people think it is impossible to achieve, because that is where you know that your dreams and goals will exceed obstacles, and remember to accompany them with determination, perseverance and passion."

She continued, "My beautiful homeland, thank you for allowing me to be an ambassador of your culture, of your landscapes, of our identity and colonial beauty, my Nicaragua...will be an honor to scream one more night your name and prove to the universe that the homeland may be small but we are full of big dreams."

See photos of the Miss Universe 2023 winner and the other contestants competing in swimsuit, evening gown and national costume contests for the pageant: