Team South America for Miss Universe 2020

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Alina Luz Akselrad Miss Universe Argentina 2020

Alina Luz Akselrad was appointed as Miss Universe Argentina 2020 and will be representing her country at Miss Universe 2020. The announcement was made by Osmel Sousa, the director of Miss Universe Argentina via his official social media. She succeeds Miss Universe Argentina 2019 Mariana Varela. Hailing from Cordoba, this 22-years-old diva competed at Miss Universe Argentina 2019 where she placed in the Top 7. Her journey has been quite long in the pageantry; in 2016, Alina was first runner-up at Fiesta Provincial del Olivo and competed at Miss Mundo Cordoba where she finished third runner-up. From 2016 to 2018, she reigned as Reina Regional ONG Vaso de Leche and Reina Nacional de la Frutihorticultura and served as the cultural ambassador of Cordoba. In 2018, Akselrad was crowned Miss Tourism Ambassador America in Thailand. Alina is an advocate for cancer prevention and supports oncology patients since her mother beat cancer. She has been volunteering in various organizations which fight against child malnutrition. She also leads a campaign ‘Embrace Your Power’ which aims to improve women’s self-confidence.

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Lenka Nemer Miss Universe Bolivia 2020

Lenka Nemer was crowned Miss Universe Bolivia 2020 on 14th November 2020 at Red Uno studios without the audience due to the covid19 restrictions. She succeeded Miss Universe Bolivia 2019 Fabiana Hurtado Tarrazona for the title and will represent Bolivia at Miss Universe 2020 stage. Representing the province of La Paz, Lenka is 23-years-old and is a student of the International Relations career. Lenka’s crowning came off as a historic win as after 35 years a representative of La Paz had been able to occupy the first place in the national beauty pageant. Lenka is passionate about playing violin and singing; she speaks Spanish, English, and French fluently. “Being able to work with institutions that promote equity, social justice and seek to eliminate the power relations that generate violence, for this reason I decided to be part of the Miss Bolivia platform as a leadership space which could be the effective and significant way to modify and signify very important scenic spaces for society”, the diva spoke about her motivation to do better everyday.

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Julia Gama Miss Universe Brazil 2020

Julia Gama was appointed Miss Universe Brazil 2020 and will now represent the country at Miss Universe 2020 stage. Julia’s name was revealed directly from New York by Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi via a live channel ‘U Miss Brasil’. She succeeds Miss Universe Brazil 2019 Júlia Horta. Born in Porto Alegre, Julia is 27-years-old and stands 177 cm tall who has studied up to the third year of her Chemical Engineering degree at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul but she decided to give her artistic skills a little more attention. She is not new to the pageantry as she won the title of Miss Brasil Mundo 2014 and represented the country at Miss World 2014 and was placed at the Top 11 at the end of the event finale. Julia was hopeful that her victory would serve as an encouragement to many other Brazilians and she wanted to use the platform to encourage people to believe in themselves, in the power of work and dedication. She is an ambassador for ‘Smile Train’ in Brazil, an organization providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. She has also been an ambassador for the fight against Hanse’s Disease for the last six years. She wants to raise awareness about it, break the stigma and prejudice the society has.

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Daniela Nicolas Miss Universe Chile 2020

Daniela Nicolas was crowned Miss Universe Chile 2020 on 21st November 2020. She succeeded Miss Universe Chile 2019 Geraldine González Martínez for the title and will be representing Chile at Miss Universe 2020. Hailing from Copiapo´, Daniela is 28-years-old and is an actress, TV presenter and professional make-up artist who has starred in four soap operas. She is a member of the cast of the Chilevisión show “Gemelas.” She is a journalism and sign language student and is currently completing a diploma in business and retail. Daniela is an avid preacher of self-love and acceptance which she does through her social media account. She wants to use the platform given to her to be a voice for women who are made to feel that they don’t belong somewhere. She wants to empower women not only in Chile but all over the world and help them to be able to work hard for their dream. She is a volunteer of the Corporacio´n Anacroj, which helps more than 800 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis from all over Chile.

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Laura Olascuaga Pinto Miss Universe Colombia 2020

Laura Olascuaga Pinto was crowned Miss Universe Colombia 2020 on 17th November 2020 and earned the opportunity to represent Colombia at Miss Universe 2020. She succeeded Gabriela Tafur, Miss Universe Colombia 2019. Miss Universe Colombia decided to branch out from Senorita Colombia Organization recently. Laura is 25-years-old and stands 178 cm tall and has a degree in Social Communication and Journalism from Universedad del Norte. Laura is not new to the pageantry as she participated in Senorita Colombia 2018 and was adjudged as the first runner-up (Virreina Colombia 2018). She resigned from the position, later mentioning that she wanted to spend some time with her family as the process of preparing for the reign completely consumed her. Laura is an ambassador for the foundation named, ‘Finsocial’ which focuses on promoting financial education as strategy to reduce poverty. Having experience cyber cullying first-hand, she created an initiative named, ‘Ula Ola De Amor’, which means ‘A Wave of Love’ which promotes sharing love and empathy instead of hate.

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Leyla Espinoza Miss Universe Ecuador 2020

Leyla Espinoza was crowned Miss Universe Ecuador 2020 on 17th October 2020 in Manta. She succeeds Miss Ecuador 2019 Cristina Hidalgo and will represent Ecuador at Miss Universe 2020. Leyla also created history as she became first Quevedeña to win the Miss Ecuador Universe crown in the 70 editions of the reign. Leyla Espinoza is 24-years-old and is a professional model. She is also a international business student. As Miss Ecuador 2020, Leyla planned to work on a social project aimed at women victims of domestic abuse. “I think this year, in which we are going through difficult situations and living many changes rather, it is a perfect year to be in a reign, to work in social and leave a mark”, she said. For her advocacy she plans to on the female victims by spreading awareness and providing necessary support.

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Vanessa Castro Guillen Miss Universe Paraguay 2020

Vanessa Castro Guillen was crowned Miss Universe Paraguay 2020 on 3rd December 2020 and became the official representative of Paraguay in Miss Universe 2020. Vanessa succeeds Miss Universe Paraguay 2019 Ketlin Lottermann. The 27-years-old diva was Miss Cordillera 2013 and an alumna of Academia de Modelaje de Reinas y Princesas. The coronation of Vanessa Castro was not well received on social networks, where it was widely rejected. Users even highlighted that Vanessa did not appear on the contest's official networks or have official photographs, and that she was only heard from about four days before the contest. Amidst all the controversy, however, Vanessa was chosen as the official representative and will definitely give her best performance to place Paraguay in the Top at Miss Universe 2020.

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Janick Maceta Del Castillo Miss Universe Peru 2020

Janick Maceta Del Castillo was crowned Miss Universe Peru 2020 in a virtual ceremony on 29th November 2020. She succeeded Miss Peru 2019 Kelin Rivera for the title and is very excited to represented Peru at Miss Universe 2020 stage. Hailing from the city of Lima, Janick is 26-years-old and stands 170 cm tall and had dedicated the crown to her family and all who believed in it. Janick is fluent in English, currently living in New York, a city where she has undertaken ambitious projects. The diva is not new to the world of pageantry she has represented Peru at Miss Tourism World 2018 which was held in Malaysia and later represented Peru at Miss Supranational 2019 where she was adjudged as the third runner-up. She is also a co-founder of the Record Label Top of New York, a company that is responsible for digitizing and producing the musical content of young talents so that they have material with which they can make their way into the music industry. She has an NGO called Little Heroes Peru, created in favour of children who are or have been victims of sexual violence. She would use the platform to take her NGO’s work forward which is to make people aware of child sexual abuse.

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Lola de los Santos Bicco Miss Universe Uruguay 2020

Lola de los Santos Bicco was crowned Miss Universe Uruguay 2020. She succeeded Miss Universe Uruguay 2019 Fiona Tenuta Vanerio for the title and will now represent Uruguay at Miss Universe 2020 stage. Hailing from Paysandú, Lola is 23-years-old and is a Human Resources student along with working as a freelance model. She is also a proud member of the LGBTQ community. Lola is not new to the world of beauty pageants, as she has obtained titles such as Miss United Continents Uruguay 2018, World Top Model Uruguay 2017 and Miss Sea World Uruguay 2018. Lola strongly believes that women shouldn’t compare themselves to any other woman out there but should look up to them to strive for being better. She stated, “To change my life on the outside, I had to change myself on the inside. The moment you decide to change, it's amazing how the universe starts helping you attract what you need.” The diva also mentioned that one should not just settle down for the comfort but strive for the challenge as that helps in developing or working on oneself for future. She believes in, “Start climbing, step by step, until you reach the top and achieve your dreams.”

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Mariangel Villasmil Arteaga Miss Universe Venezuela 2020

Mariangel Villasmil Arteaga was crowned Miss Universe Venezuela 2020 on 24th September 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. She succeeds Miss Venezuela 2019 Thalia Olvino for the title. She will represent Venezuela at Miss Universe 2020. Mariangel is 24-years-old and a passionate 4th semester psychology student who is creating content in both Spanish and English languages for social media. She describes herself as responsible, punctual, disciplined, thoughtful, creative, sincere, and very organized. The diva stated that changes motivate her, daring new things that make her leave comfort zone because that's when she puts the best version of herself to the test. It motivates her to know that she is doing something she is passionate about. Mariangel stated that she will dedicate herself towards working as a model, and taking advantage of all the doors that this platform opens for her. She will also take her initiative #RegalaUnaDulceSonrisa to more corners, to support young entrepreneurs. She also aspires to have her own cafe or restaurant with her own dessert brand.