Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022, the 66th edition of the national pageant, was held on 12th August 2022 at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, San Juan where crowd-favourite Ashley Ann Cariño was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022. She is now preparing for her international stint at Miss Universe 2022.

Ashley is the second Afro-Puerto Rican to win the title. Born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico to parents José Cariño and Olga Barreto, Ashley moved with her family to Kissimmee, Florida when she was five years old.

Cariño attended the Professional and Technical High School in Kissimmee where she received certification to work as a psychosocial rehabilitator, specializing in working with children with cognitive diversity. Ashley was inspired to do so after overcoming ADHD in her childhood.

Cariño later studied aerospace engineering. Before Ashley began her journey in the pageantry when she competed in Miss USA 2021, she had hoped to work for NASA after graduating.  As Ashley began her journey in 2021 as a delegate in Mis Florida USA 2021, she became the first woman from Kissimmee to be crowned the new queen.

After that Ashley went on to compete at Miss USA 2021 where she placed as the second runner-up. She was awarded a proclamation from Kissimmee at the city’s commission meeting for her Miss USA 2021 placement. She also rode along with Osceola County sheriff Marcos Lopez in the St. Cloud Christmas Parade.

This was only the third time that Florida had placed in the top three of the competition since 1980. Ashley then went on to compete at Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022 where she won. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, Ashley is a going to be a strong contender for the international crown.