The 2023 edition of Miss Universe Puerto Rico has officially begun as the contestants were presented to the media for the first time at the Mayor's Office of the municipality of San Juan. The winner will be crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 and will represent her country at Miss Universe 2023.
For the first time, mothers, wives and a young transgender woman are among the group of 33 delegates who have been selected to compete at the national competition. Aguada’s Jinny Valentín, Añasco’s Ninoshka Rodríguez and Carolina’s Luisa Angélica Vázquez are the mothers competing this year while Nemesie Naara from Barceloneta is married. Daniela Arroyo, from Cabo Rojo, is the first transgender woman to be competing at the national competition.
The 33 contestants competing for Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 are Miss Saint John 2023 Rina Rivera Vargas, Miss Salinas 2023 Gabriela Veguilla Cotto, Miss Rio Grande 2023 Xarimar Acevedo, Miss Ponce 2023 Natalia Elena Zayas Morales, Miss Penuelas 2023 Mistral Cedanio Rojas, Miss Sideburns 2023 Karla Guilfú Acevedo, Miss Naguabo 2023 Janairi Pomales García, Miss Manatee 2023 Sachelle González Rodríguez, Miss Loiza 2023 Angela Escalera Carrasquillo, Miss Lajas 2023 Karina Rivera Camacho, Miss Jayuya 2023 Cristina E. Martes Lugo, Miss Isabella 2023 Fiorella Medina, Miss Hatillo 2023 Thaiz Maceira Candelaria, Miss Guaynabo 2023 Carmen Angélica Figueroa Guzmán, Miss Fajardo 2023 Camila Molina García, Miss Gold 2023 Devi Michelle Alfonso Daniels, Miss Snake 2023 Nathalie Santa Cruz Bacardi, Miss Cayey 2023 Neysha Marie Mendoza Castro, Miss Catano 2023 Gina Lee García Colón, Miss Carolina 2023 Luisa Angélica Vázquez Ríos, Miss Canovanas 2023 Andrea S. Collazo, Miss Caguas 2023 Celimar Rosario Caballero, Miss Cabo Rojo 2023 Daniela Arroyo, Miss Bayamon 2023 Gabriela Paola Santiago Ortiz, Miss Barranquitas 2023 Rocío del Mar Avilés Mercado, Miss Barcelona 2023 Nemesie Naara Martínez Negrón, Miss Anasco 2023 Ninoshka Rodríguez Muñoz, Miss Aibonito 2023 Melanie Rivera Sánchez, Miss Aguadilla 2023 Paola Crystal Rosa Badillo, Miss Aguada 2023 jinny valentine.
Ashley Ann Cariño Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022 was also present at the official press presentation. The preliminary competition of Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 will be held on 20th August 2023 and the finale will be held on Thursday, 27th August 2023. Both the events will take place at the Luis A. Ferré Fine Arts Center in Santurce.