After a 57-year hiatus from the world's most prestigious beauty pageant, Cuba is finally back in the spotlight with young Marianela Ancheta representing the nation. However, many believe the Miss Universe Cuba gala was far from impressive.
Beyond the 24 contestants, their runway walks, and stage moments, the event's production drew the harshest critiques. "Miss Universe Cuba didn't meet expectations this year. While the stage setup was adequate, the lack of preparation among the contestants and the host's blunders significantly marred the event. Salsa music during the evening gown segment was out of place; that moment calls for something more elegant and slower. Additionally, singers lip-syncing their songs didn't do justice to the occasion. As for the winner, although her answer wasn't the best, it's undeniable that she possesses great beauty. Hopefully, future editions will improve and offer a more complete and well-executed experience," wrote TikTok user @jose_angel_98.
On the Miss Universe YouTube channel, which streamed the gala live, numerous viewers pointed out the event's most glaring mistakes. The choice of music during the runway walks could have been better, notably because Lenier Mesa was lip-syncing the entire time, with the music and his actions out of sync. "The magic of the evening gown segment was lost with Lenier's music. It didn't fit at all. There are plenty of Cuban singers who could have been chosen for that moment. It made no sense. They should have picked Leoni," commented one viewer. Others added, "Lenier couldn't sing live? Are these the 'artists' they support? No wonder they get criticized," and "He can't even do playback properly during a gala runway!"
The comparisons were inevitable, with many questioning if the event was organized by Cuban television due to its poor quality: "What a poorly organized event! It felt like watching Cuban TV. I didn't like it," stated one critic. Others echoed similar sentiments, "What a mediocre contest," "I didn't understand the director's exit and the camera angles... very bad opening," and "There wasn't even background music for the final moment; not even Palmas y Cañas would dare such a thing. There's no doubt this was organized by Cubavisión."
More criticisms poured in: "What a piece of trash. The contest was poorly executed. I couldn't tell if it was Cubavisión or not. Very poorly done, honestly. Everything seemed primitive," "What a tacky contest," "Everything was horrible from the presenters to the judges; it looked like I was in Cuba watching TV," and "The production and casting of the show left much to be desired. It felt like a high school project; truly embarrassing."
Despite the criticisms and questions surrounding the event, there's something significant to celebrate: Cuba is back in Miss Universe!