Hours before the ultimate, Palacious, who had competed in lots of pageants before, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram about fulfilling a childhood dream to participate in the worldwide competition.
“Tonight I dedicate it to my inner child and to every of the women who yearn to satisfy this dream,” she wrote in Spanish, “even the sky itself is the limit, dream so big that folks think it’s inconceivable to realize, because that’s where you understand that your dreams and goals will exceed obstacles, and remember to accompany them with determination, perseverance and keenness.”
She continued, “My beautiful homeland, thanks for allowing me to be an envoy of your culture, of your landscapes, of our identity and colonial beauty, my Nicaragua…can be an honor to scream yet one more night your name and prove to the universe that the homeland could also be small but we’re stuffed with big dreams.”
See photos of the Miss Universe 2023 winner and the opposite contestants competing in swimsuit, evening gown and national costume contests for the pageant: