The Cuban makeup artist Eugenio Rodríguez posted a video on Instagram of a professional session with Daniela Reyes with the caption "Daniela Reyes road to Miss Universe Cuba," marking the first public confirmation that the Cuban influencer is headed to the pageant.
The post garnered over 75,000 views and 252 comments in just a few hours, with the production team including Rodríguez himself and stylist Carlos Sigas as the glam squad.
In the images, Daniela wears a strapless red lace and sequin dress, complemented by Asian-themed makeup—slanted eyes and contact lenses—which Eugenio Rodríguez himself explained in the comments as a choice made by the candidate herself.
"Dani wanted an Asian-themed look for these photos. This style is characterized by the unique way of applying makeup to create an elongated eye shape and the use of contact lenses to add dimension to the gaze. It doesn't mean that we transformed or changed her. It's just a different makeup style," wrote Rodríguez.
The look sparked debate among followers. "Don't wear glasses; your dark eyes are what make you stand out so much more. In competitions, we always see many beautiful girls with light eyes, but you have a different, elegant, and super authentic beauty just as you are. You'll shine more by being yourself," a user commented.
The confirmation comes after months of hints that Daniela Reyes has been dropping on social media without ever making it official.
On April 20, she posted pageant-style photos with the message "Something big is about to begin," coinciding with the start of the in-person casting for Miss Universe Cuba 2026 in Miami. On May 15, she reignited social media with stories that included the phrase "Kings & Queens" and a crown emoji.
Since November 2025, Daniela had acknowledged that the possibility of participating filled her with “a lot of excitement and also a little bit of fear”, leaving the decision “in God's hands.”
At the Miss Universe Cuba 2025 gala, held in July of last year, Daniela attended as a guest, not competing, and was one of the most talked-about figures of the night. On that occasion, Marianela Ancheta, then Miss Universe Cuba 2024, publicly told her: "I see you becoming Miss Universe Cuba one day, and I will be here to support you."
The Cuban influencer and model started on Instagram in 2014, at the age of 17, and has spent more than a decade building her presence on social media with fashion, travel, and beauty content. She moved to Miami at the end of 2024, which increased her media exposure.
Miss Universe Cuba 2026 is currently in the selection process with over 100 registered applicants, from which 24 official candidates will be chosen. The winner will represent Cuba in Miss Universe 2026, scheduled for November in Puerto Rico.
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