The organization of Miss Universe Cuba sparked a buzz on social media by sharing the video of its first in-person casting ahead of the 2026 edition, an event that took place last Friday, April 17, and has already garnered more than thousands of views, likes, and comments on Instagram.
The clip shows several contestants walking with confidence and elegance as some speak directly to the camera about what it means for them to represent Cuba.
The organization itself described the event as "a day filled with excitement where we encountered new dreams and also saw candidates return who are familiar with this path, today more prepared, confident, and determined than ever."
In the video, phrases that capture the spirit of the contest can be heard: "It brings me to Miss Universe Cuba to represent my country, to represent our essence," says one of the contestants. Another states with determination: "In the first auditions for Miss Universe Cuba, I feel more than prepared and ready."
Among the profiles that generated the most reactions on social media, Carolina Roca stands out as the most mentioned contestant in the comments, where her followers describe her as "beautiful, elegant, natural, and intelligent" and point to her as the undisputed favorite. Several comments directly indicate her for the crown: "There’s no need to wait any longer, that crown is undoubtedly for the most beautiful girl in all of Cuba."
Another name that draws attention is Mía (@miiadio), who returns to the competition after reaching the Top 5 of Miss Universe Cuba 2025 and experiencing facial paralysis during the final gala that year, making her a symbol of perseverance for many Cuban women. Her followers greet her with messages like "You are an inspiration and a symbol of perseverance for many of us."
Yramsi Bárcena (@yramsi_barcena_12) also participated in the first casting and shared an emotional post on her Instagram account. "To represent Cuba is to carry my roots in my heart, my story, and the profound love for a people full of strength and dignity," she wrote. She added: "My greatest wish is to see a free Cuba, full of opportunities, where its people can live in peace, with rights, and with the future they deserve. This dream is not just mine… it belongs to an entire nation."
Other candidates enthusiastically mentioned in the comments are Sofía Sibianu, Claudia Guevara, described as a "beautiful and entrepreneurial woman," and Liana Calas (@lianacalas), warmly recognized by several followers.
The name that resonated the most in the comments —even though it didn't appear in the video— was that of Daniela Reyes (@danielareyesofficial), a Cuban influencer based in Miami who on April 20 posted a cryptic Something big is about to begin without officially confirming her participation on Instagram. Her followers flooded the casting post asking about her: "I really hope Daniela Reyes participates. She is already a Queen," wrote one user.
The pageant seeks to select 24 official candidates from over a hundred registered applicants. The winner of Miss Universe Cuba 2026 will represent the island at Miss Universe 2026, scheduled for November in Puerto Rico, and applications are still open at missuniversecuba.org. As the organization summarized: "This is just the beginning… and the next queen could be closer than we think."
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