MIAMI.- A year has passed since Lina Luaces was crowned as Miss Universe Cuba. And after a series of commitments representing the Island, including his participation in the Miss Universe 2025the model said goodbye to the band and crowned it with a heartfelt message.
Before crowning Mia Dio, on the night of August 20, Luaces gave her last catwalk as queen of cuba. At that moment, the young woman addressed how participating in the contest made her reconnect with herself, break down the barriers imposed by others and proudly carry the name of Cuba throughout the world.
“Today I want to give all the Glory and thanks to God! This path was full of moments that filled me with light, moments that broke me and moments that tested me in ways I never imagined. But, through each of them, (God) held me and took me by the hand,” he began.
“Jesus reminded me that my identity is not defined by what others say about me. I learned that many times the most difficult seasons are precisely the ones that shape us into the women we are destined to be.”
The 24-year-old also thanked her mother, who was a fundamental support during her preparation for Miss Universe Cuba and Miss Universe 2025, as well as each member of the Miss Universe Cuba Organization for trusting her.
“To my mom, thank you for being my rock and my greatest support. Thank you for being by my side every step of this path! To the sponsors and everyone who is part of the Miss Universe Cuba organization, thank you for giving me this incredible opportunity and for trusting me to represent our beautiful island in the world.”
“One of the greatest honors of my life”
Likewise, Lina expressed her appreciation and gratitude to the Venezuelan director and trainer Prince Julio César, for giving Cuba back the space it had lost in the most important beauty pageant; as well as supporting her and encouraging her when fear or mistrust invaded her.
“To our director Prince, thank you for giving the voice back to Cuban women on a universal stage. I will be eternally grateful that you found me and saw something in me, even when I couldn’t see it in myself. Thank you for believing in me, for not giving up on me even when I wanted to give up on myself, and for helping me become the woman I am today, your guidance and faith in me will always be part of my story.”
Finally, Lina Luaces Estefan emphasized that carrying the title was a dream that fulfilled her inner child, in addition to being an honor to be able to leave a mark on the history of a nation that has fought for years to regain its freedom.
“Representing Cuba has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Bringing the name of my roots, its culture, its strength and its people to an international stage is something that always stays with me. Today I close this chapter, but I know that I leave stronger, wiser, more faithful to God and more sure of who I am than ever. And no matter where life takes me, I will always carry Cuba in my heart. I will always remember that girl who dreamed of representing her island in the world. Today I I say, ‘Lina, you did it!'”
“Thank you to each of the people who believed in me: missologos, missologas, friends and my family who sacrificed everything in search of a better life for us. This crown is for every immigrant in this country and the generations to come because it is our job to continue the legacy. Until then, I will wait for the day when we can see a free Cuba again.”
The model said goodbye with the characteristic nickname given to her on social networks: “With love, your guava cake: Lina Luaces Estefan, Cuba.”
