Marianela Ancheta, set to represent Cuba at the Miss Universe pageant, has shared her remarkable journey to this prestigious stage. Born 31 years ago in Villa Clara, Marianela emigrated to the United States with her mother at the age of 13, crossing the Mexican border to find a new life.
"I come from a very humble family with limited means, and my inner child can hardly believe what I'm experiencing," she revealed to EFE, as reported by Telemundo. Reflecting on her past, she recalled, "At 19, I spent Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve cleaning bathrooms at a Walgreens. It was a very sad time, but look at the transformation now."
A Dream Sparked by Inspiration
Recently crowned as the first Miss Cuba in 57 years, Marianela disclosed that her aspiration to compete in the pageant was ignited when she witnessed the coronation of Mexican beauty Andrea Meza in 2020. "At that moment, I thought, why can't a Cuban win too?" she said.
She emphasizes the challenges Cuban women face in such events. "Even if you manage to build a career there, numerous obstacles hinder us from gaining international recognition. This pageant and other similar opportunities show that there are indeed possibilities," she stated.
Family: The Backbone of Her Journey
Her biggest inspirations are her grandmothers who remain in Cuba and call her every day. "If I can hardly believe I'm here, they can't either. But their beautiful messages and the support from my entire family, despite the distance, keep me going," she shared.