Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo is a Nicaraguan model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe 2023. Having previously been crowned Miss Nicaragua 2023, she was the first Nicaraguan to win Miss Universe and the first to win one of the Big Four international beauty pageants.

Prior to Miss Universe, Palacios competed in Miss World 2021 as Miss World Nicaragua 2020, placing in the Top 40.

Early life and education

Palacios was born on 30 May 2000, in Diriamba, Nicaragua. Palacios was educated at La Salle Managua Pedagogical Institute in Managua, where she won the Miss Lasallista beauty pageant, beginning her interest in pageantry. Afterwards, Palacios enrolled in the Central American University in Managua, graduating with a bachelor's degree in mass communication in 2022. While a university student, Palacios played on her school's varsity volleyball team. In her youth, Palacios suffered from anxiety attacks, which later inspired her to adopt mental health awareness as her pageant platform.

Prior to becoming Miss Universe, Palacios was working as a model, television presenter, and journalist in Nicaragua, and presented a show called Entiende tu mente, which discussed topics related to mental health.

Pageantry

Palacios entered the pageantry industry in 2016, after being crowned Miss Teen Nicaragua 2016. She went on to represent her country at the Teen Miss Universe 2017 pageant, where she placed in the Top 10.

She later took a break from pageantry until returning to compete in Miss World Nicaragua 2020, which she went on to win. As Miss World Nicaragua, Palacios represented Nicaragua at Miss World 2021. Miss World 2021 was originally planned to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico on 16 December 2021. Two days prior to the pageant's broadcast, several cases of COVID-19 began to be reported amongst contestants and staff, which led to the cancelation and postponement of the pageant's final show. The pageant was later rescheduled for 16 March 2022, with only the 40 selected semi-finalists being invited to return to compete; Palacios was ultimately selected as one of the 40, but did not advance further in the competition.

In 2023, Palacios was announced as one of the contestants for Miss Nicaragua 2023. The pageant was held in August 2023, where Palacios went on to win the title, earning the right to represent her country at Miss Universe 2023.

Miss Universe 2023

As Miss Nicaragua, Palacios competed at Miss Universe 2023. The pageant was held on 18 November in San Salvador, El Salvador. On the night of finals, Palacios advanced into the Top 20, becoming just the fifth Nicaraguan representative to reach the semifinals, and later advanced into the Top 10, Top 5, and Top 3 as well. Following the final question portion of the pageant, Palacios was announced as the pageant's winner, besting first runner-up Anntonia Porsild of Thailand. Upon her victory, Palacios became the first Nicaraguan to be crowned Miss Universe, and the first Nicaraguan to win any of the Big Four international beauty pageants. She is also the first Central American to win the pageant outright, following Justine Pasek of Panama, who became Miss Universe 2002 following the resignation of original winner Oxana Fedorova.

In her capacity as Miss Universe, Palacios has traveled to El Salvador and the United States.