The Cuban candidate for Miss Universe Cuba 2026, Daniela Reyes, shared a series of five professional photographs on her Instagram account this Thursday, showcasing her in a stunning, bright yellow evening gown, accompanied by a message that quickly resonated with her followers.
"One day at a time... Because great dreams aren't built in a single leap, but with small steps filled with discipline. Enjoying and living this beautiful journey," wrote the Cuban as inspiration for her followers.
The images, taken in a classic architectural interior with wrought iron chandeliers and a red carpet, showcase the Cuban model and influencer based in Miami in an off-shoulder tulle design with layers and tiered ruffles, which her followers compared to the iconic dress worn by Belle in Disney's classic Beauty and the Beast.
The post garnered thousands of likes and hundreds of comments in just a few hours, with an overwhelming number of messages declaring her the undeniable favorite of the competition: "Please, put the crown on her. This is too much," wrote one of her followers. Another was more straightforward: "If she's not the queen, I want nothing." A third voice summed up the general sentiment: "It's all for Puerto Rico."
The enthusiasm was not limited to that post. A reel of theirs recorded on the beach, with the text "Salt on the skin, peace in the soul," surpassed 11,000 likes and 300 comments, where the messages of support were equally powerful.
"In each appearance, one can clearly perceive a serious and constant preparation, a genuine evolution, and, above all, a candidate increasingly confident in what she wants to project," highlighted a follower in that reel.
Another comment reflected on the journey: "I remember when you were in Cuba, they said you were very thin, and I jumped in to defend you. I never saw anyone criticize you again. Now, what will they say? You’ve arrived and are on your way to the crown."
Daniela, with over a million followers on Instagram, is competing as candidate number 20 representing Pinar del Río in a pageant that initially gathered 22 finalists selected from over 100 applicants through in-person auditions in Miami.
The final of Miss Universe Cuba 2026 is scheduled for August 20 at the Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center in Cutler Bay, Miami-Dade, with a preliminary gala on August 18. The winner will travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November to represent Cuba at Miss Universe 2026, set to take place in November at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.
Filed under: