In Latin America, many of the population have varying degrees of indigenous ancestry. Majority are the mixed-race population known as mestizo (caboclo in Brazil) who descends from the early unions between the indigenous peoples and various European settlers during the colonial period. The mestizo community generally practice the European settler language and culture. This group can also include communities that are of significant indigenous ancestry who have assimilated to the European settler culture and language. There are also the various indigenous peoples. These distinct communities have retained their indigenous identity, lineage, culture, languages and ancestral territories. Let's meet my favorite Latin American and Caribbean beauties in Miss Universe who have inherited the phenotype of their indigenous ancestors.
Maureen Vieira won the title of Miss Aruba 1974. Born and raised in Oranjestad, she comes from a multicultural background; her mother is originally from Colombia while her father is of Portuguese descent. Before winning the national title, she was working as an airline ground hostess while doing some modelling jobs. She’s also multilingual being fluent in Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish. Maureen soon represented Aruba in the Miss Universe 1974 pageant held in Manila, Philippines. Noted for her exotic looks and dusky complexion, the voluptuous beauty became a huge favorite among the local audience. She was soon announced as among the Top 12 semi-finalists and eventually finished as 4th runner-up. After the pageant, Maureen stayed in the Philippines and appeared in several local films and advertisements.
Taryn Mansell won the title of Miss Universe Aruba 1995. Before winning the title, she was a student pursuing a degree in hotel management. Originally from Oranjestad, she is fluent in Spanish, Dutch, English and Papiamento. Taryn soon represented Aruba in the Miss Universe 1996 pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada. For her national costume, Taryn wore an attire inspired by the Caquetio people, the first inhabitants of Aruba, who are also the indigenous ancestors of the Aruban population. With her exotic looks and dusky complexion, she was among the Top 10 semi-finalists and became a crowd favorite during the pageant finals, eventually finishing as 1st runner-up.
Jakelyne Oliveira won the title of Miss Brasil 2013 (Miss Brazil). Hailing from Mato Grosso, she comes from a multiracial background; her father is black while her mother is of indigenous origin. Before winning the national title, Jakelyne was working as a model while pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering. She has also previously held several local beauty titles. Jakelyne soon represented Brazil in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant held in Moscow, Russia. During the pageant, she wore a national costume representing the various indigenous peoples of Brazil. With her exotic looks and strong stage presence, the dusky beauty became a favorite and finished as 4th runner-up. After the pageant, Jakelyne became active in the local Brazilian entertainment industry appearing in small TV roles and participating in a reality TV show.
Eline de Pool won the title of Miss Universe Curaçao 2013. Before winning the national title, she was already working as a professional model while also pursuing a business degree, aspiring to continue their family business of restaurants. Hailing from Willemstad, the stunning raven-haired beauty is fluent in English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento. Eline soon represented Curaçao in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant held in Moscow, Russia and became a crowd favorite.
Wendolly Esparza won the title of Nuestra Belleza México 2014 (Our Beauty Mexico). Nicknamed "Wendy", she is a Mexican American, born and raised in Illinois and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Before winning the national title, she graduated from a journalism degree and has been residing in Aguascalientes, her family's hometown in Mexico. She was set to represent Mexico in the upcoming Miss Universe 2015 pageant. However, the Nuestra Belleza México organization withdrew from the pageant after the pageant owner at the time, Donald Trump, made anti-Mexico comments during his presidential campaign. Soon after, Donald Trump sold the Miss Universe organization to WME/IMG and with new owners managing the pageant, the Nuestra Belleza México organization rejoined the pageant. Wendy soon represented Mexico in the Miss Universe 2015 pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada. For her national costume, Wendy depicted Xochiquetzal, an Aztec goddess associated with love, beauty, flowers and fertility. Noted for exotic looks and charisma, she became a favorite during the pageant and was among the Top 15 semi-finalists.
Mayra Dias won the title of Miss Brasil 2018 (Miss Brazil). Hailing from Amazonas, she is of multiracial background; her father is white while her mother is of indigenous origin. Before winning the national title, Mayra was working as a TV hostess and a model. She is also a journalism graduate and advocates the preservation of the Amazon rainforest. The statuesque, raven-haired beauty soon represented Brazil in the Miss Universe 2018 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand. Mayra wore a creative ensemble as her national costume: initially, she depicts an indigenous woman from the Amazon rainforest wearing body paint and tribal accessories, adorned with festive yellow feathers. She then dons her festival mask and reveals a pair of wings, eventually depicting a giant hummingbird. A favorite during the pageant, Mayra finished among the Top 20 semi-finalists.
Rosa Iveth Montezuma won the title of Señorita Panama 2018 (Miss Panama). Rosa comes from an indigenous background; she is Ngäbe and hails from Alto Caballero in the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca (indigenous people's territory in Panama). Aside from Spanish, she also speaks the Ngäbere indigenous language. Before winning the national title, she was pursuing a degree in computer science and had previously finished a degree in food science and technology. As Señorita Panama 2018, she has delivered speeches in the United Nations and Organization of American States, highlighting the concerns of indigenous peoples. Rosa would wear her community's traditional dress, the Nagua, during her official visits and endorsements. The copper-skinned beauty soon represented Panama in the Miss Universe 2018 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand. For her national costume, Rosa depicted the legend of Zara, the daughter of an indigenous chief from the Coclé region, to whom the Zarati river was named after.
Sthefany Gutierrez won the title of Miss Venezuela 2017. Hailing from Anzoategui, she was pursuing a law degree before winning the national title. She soon began her career as a TV hostess, appearing in various local TV shows. She soon became Venezuela’s representative in the Miss Universe 2018 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand. With her exotic looks and long hair that reaches her hips, Sthefany became a huge favorite during the pageant. For her national costume, she depicted the legend of Guaichia (more popularly known as Maria Lionza or Yara), the daughter of an indigenous chief from the Yaracuy region, who is worshipped as a goddess and protector of nature. After an impressive performance during the finals night, the statuesque, dusky beauty eventually finished as 2nd runner-up.
Iris Salguero won the title of Miss World Belize 2016. Born and raised in San Pedro, Belize to immigrant parents from El Salvador, she is fluent in both English and Spanish. Before winning the national title, she was working as a model. Iris then represented Belize in the Miss World 2016 pageant held in Washington, D.C. Years later, Iris was appointed the title Miss Universe Belize 2020-2021 and she became Belize's delegate in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant held in Hollywood, Florida. The exotic, copper-skinned beauty was among the delegates selected for a Sherri Hill fashion photo shoot.
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