After being crowned, the new Dominican sovereign is already undergoing arduous and intensive preparation, focused on winning the international Miss Universe crown this coming November 24th in Puerto Rico.
Santo Domingo.- In a night full of emotions, Melissa Núñez was crowned the new Miss Universe Dominican Republic, marking a milestone by bringing the crown back to the La Vega province after 14 years, a triumph that had not been achieved since Carlina Durán’s victory in 2012. In her second attempt at the title, Núñez demonstrated that perseverance, backed by a solid team and unwavering faith, was the key to her success.
Inclusion and focus in the new era of Miss Universe
During her first meeting with the media, the vegan representative elegantly addressed questions about her personal life, confirming that she was married in the past and has no children, emphasizing that her romantic life belongs to the private sphere and does not interfere with her commitment to the universe.
In this regard, the franchise director, Magali Febles, called on followers and “missiologists” to remember the evolution of the pageant:
“The Miss Universe organization is a platform for inclusion. There are no longer any restrictions to participate, whether by age, color, marital status, or if the candidate is married, divorced, with or without children. All those requirements were forgotten several years ago.”
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A sovereign with a solid academic background and a vocation for service
Born in the Palmarito sector, in La Vega, Melissa Núñez possesses an outstanding academic background. She began her medical studies at the Universidad Católica del Cibao (UCATECI) and, subsequently, thanks to her academic excellence, she obtained a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT) to continue her education in the United States. In New York, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree at The City University of New York (CUNY).
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Currently, she is part of the team at the renowned Bellevue Hospital, where she provides support to patients affected by substance use disorders. Her work is especially focused on accompanying women during their recovery and social reintegration processes.
“I had many ups and downs during this journey, but I never lost faith. From the beginning, I placed this project in God’s hands and trusted that He would give me the necessary answers at every stage. Today I feel proud, not only of myself, but also of my family, my friends, and the entire organization that believed in this dream,” expressed Núñez._
Among her hobbies are singing and dancing. In addition, she feels a deep affinity for horses, animals she describes as noble and loyal, remembering with special fondness a small mare she had during her childhood in La Vega.
Preparation for the international competition
The Miss Universe Dominican Republic organization has designed a comprehensive preparation program for the international competition, which this year will include the swimsuit evaluation in Puerto Rico. As part of this process, Melissa Núñez will develop a work plan focused on:
• Physical conditioning: muscle strengthening, toning, and comprehensive preparation for preliminary competitions
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- Orthodontics and smile design: this very week they will begin dental treatment as part of their preparation, which is why their interview schedule will be temporarily reorganized.
Naturalness as the main strength
Magali Febles highlighted that the preparation will be focused on enhancing the natural qualities of the Dominican representative.
“Melissa responds very naturally, she is very eloquent and has a perfect command of English, which represents a significant advantage. She has a very fresh and authentic image. Our goal will be to strengthen all her qualities without losing the essence that characterizes her,” he stated.
The “Goddess of the Sea” crown
The Goddess of the Sea crown, worn by Melissa Núñez as Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2026, pays tribute to the seas surrounding the country and the cultural richness of the Dominican people. Topped by a cross, the piece symbolizes the spirituality, dignity, and values that distinguish the nation, while promoting respect for the diversity of beliefs that converge in the pageant.
With the start of this new stage, Melissa Núñez officially begins her preparation to represent the Dominican Republic in Miss Universe 2026, with the commitment to give her best on the international stage.
