Mia Dio, Miss Universe Cuba 2026, appeared this Thursday on the show "Hoy Día" from Telemundo to discuss her upcoming trip to Puerto Rico, where she will compete on November 24 in the 75th edition of the Miss Universe pageant.
With a mix of excitement and determination, the young Cuban-American made her goal clear: "I am ready to compete in Puerto Rico and bring the first crown to my beautiful island of Cuba, which is in such need of that joy."
The 25-year-old beauty queen confirmed that she will depart for San Juan on November 8 with her team, accompanied by around 40 suitcases filled with outfits prepared in collaboration with her stylist, Guillermo Leal. "We have prepared designs from all corners of this world to showcase universal creativity," she explained during the interview.
Mia Dio also revealed a highly anticipated detail for her followers: her traditional outfit will be white and adorned with gladioli, a choice that is not accidental for someone who, as a candidate, dedicated a photoshoot to the Ladies in White, the peaceful Cuban movement that emerged after the Black Spring repression.
When asked how she keeps her feet on the ground amid so much pressure, the young woman was straightforward: "The most important thing is to stay true to my essence, to my purpose. I still spend time with my personal circle, with my parents. They keep me grounded. Additionally, I also attend church. That helps me a lot."
Regarding her greatest challenge in this process, Mia Dio pointed out the balance between her different facets: "Evolving without losing that identity. Many people know me on social media as a comedic, authentic woman, and it's about balancing my role as Miss with my role as an influencer."
The Cuban representative also spoke about her social cause, which evolved from "Cuerpos Conscientes" to The Her Project, through which she raises awareness for women who have experienced miscarriage. "I give visibility to women who are also part of the statistic of one in four, who go through the loss of a pregnancy as I did," she said, adding that "it is important to support women, especially those living with that silent, painful truth."
When asked what she wants to be remembered for after her experience in the competition, she responded: "My authenticity, my personality, my sense of humor, that I am a woman who embraces all her versions and that I am also very comfortable in my own skin. I acknowledge that I don't have to be a perfect woman to be worthy of pursuing my dreams."
Mia Dio won the Miss Universe Cuba 2026 crown on August 20 in Cutler Bay, Florida, surpassing 18 other contestants. Born in Miami, she is the daughter of a Cuban mother and an Argentine father, and the granddaughter of a veteran of Brigade 2506. Her coronation sparked controversy due to her American origin, to which she responded that her Cuban heritage and her connection to the exile community do not make her any less Cuban.
Cuba has never won the Miss Universe crown. Its best historical result was the third place of María Rosa Gamio Fernández in 1957, and in the recent return to the pageant, Lina Luaces reached the Top 12 in 2025. The final gala of the 75th edition will be held on November 24 at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, with between 123 and 130 delegates from around the world.
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