Meet the queen heading to Thailand

Central America is heating up the beauty pageant stage as each nation selects the queen who will carry its colors at Miss Universe 2025. On September 4, it was Nicaragua’s turn, and the crown went to Itza Castillo, a young woman who is now preparing to represent her country on one of the biggest stages in the world.

This year’s Miss Universe Nicaragua pageant broke tradition by being held not in Managua, but in Miami, Florida. The James L. Knight Center welcomed the glamorous event, giving it a global spotlight and highlighting Nicaragua’s strong presence in the diaspora.

Thirteen women competed for the title, each dreaming of becoming the successor to Geyssell García, who proudly wore the Nicaraguan sash at the 73rd Miss Universe in Mexico. At the end of a dazzling evening, Castillo was crowned with the brand-new “Sky and Freedom” crown, valued at a breathtaking $100,000.

Who Is Itza Castillo?

Itza Castillo now holds the responsibility of representing Nicaragua at Miss Universe 2025. More than just a beauty queen, she is seen as a symbol of resilience, ambition, and cultural pride. Though details about her advocacy and platform will unfold in the coming months, her win has already stirred excitement across Nicaraguan communities at home and abroad.

© Miss Universe Nicaragua

The fact that this year’s event took place in Miami also made her victory resonate deeply with Nicaraguans living outside their homeland, showcasing how beauty pageants can bridge cultural identity across borders.

Latin America’s Strong Lineup

Nicaragua won’t be standing alone in Thailand. So far, a powerhouse roster of Latin American contestants has been confirmed, including representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.

© Getty Images

This year also introduces an interesting twist with the inclusion of Miss USA Latina, a representative chosen through Telemundo’s reality show Miss Universe Latina. Unlike other contestants, she won’t carry a country’s name, but she will still compete as part of the official lineup.

The Road to Miss Universe 2025

The 74th edition of Miss Universe is set for November 21, 2025, at the iconic Impact Arena in Pak Kret, Thailand. While the organization has yet to confirm if the format will remain the same, last year brought major changes that shook up the competition.

© Miss Universe Nicaragua

In 2024, the  Miss Universe chose 30 finalists, narrowing them down to 12. Then, 5 contestants faced the famous Q&A round, ultimately giving Denmark’s Victoria Kjær the claimed Miss Universe 2024 title, proving how unpredictable and exciting the competition can be.

If this format returns in 2025, fans around the world will once again play a crucial role in helping their favorites secure a spot in the Miss Universe semifinals.