Lina Luaces not only won the Miss Cuba 2025 crown. She also captured the hearts of many fans. Her victory showed real strength, honesty, and grace. The 22-year-old model is the daughter of popular TV host Lili Estefan. July 8th was a special night for Lina. It truly changed her path.
But behind this win was a lot of hard work. A dedicated team helped her. Three key pieces of advice came from a beauty pageant expert: Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993. Dayanara is a close friend of Lili Estefan. She often appears on the show “El Gordo y la Flaca” (TelevisaUnivision). Dayanara played a big part in inspiring Lina to do her best.
Dayanara shared these three important ideas in an interview with ¡HOLA! Américas. She believes these ideas can make a huge difference. They separate a good performance from an unforgettable queen who takes home the crown. Lina Luaces clearly followed these words very carefully.
Dayanara Torres’s Top 3 Tips for Miss Cuba 2025 Winner Lina Luaces
1. It’s One Night: Let Your True Self Shine
This might have been Dayanara’s most important advice to Lina. It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about doing what others expect. It’s about connecting with the moment. It means connecting with the audience. Most importantly, it’s about connecting with yourself.
“It has a lot to do with the magic of being yourself that day,” the former Miss Universe said. She remembered her own path to the crown. She won without many rehearsals or much practice. “Maybe if it were the next day, I wouldn’t have won,” she stated.
Dayanara used her natural self, honesty, and true happiness to win her crown. She told Lina to do the same. This helped Lina stand out among many other contestants. “Those are the things that make a difference,” she said. “Because you look more real, natural, and happy.”
Lina Luaces and Lili Estefan. Photo by Manny Hernandez/Filmmagic
2. Walk Like a Queen: The Art of Captivating
Walking on a runway is more than just putting one foot in front of the other. It takes skill, practice, and a touch of art. Dayanara wasn’t from the pageant world before her win. She had to learn how to master the walk, wear high heels, and use her body language. Now, she proudly shares that knowledge.
She even recently showed Lili Estefan on “El Gordo y la Flaca” how to walk “like a true queen.” That lesson eventually reached Lina. Moving with grace, showing confidence in every step, and owning the stage were key skills. These helped the new Miss Cuba stand out.
“I had to learn everything,” Dayanara said about her own experience. “From wearing super high heels. There were times we would meet. Someone would help me with my walk, with how to move my dress, how to keep my head straight when they took pictures.”
Dayanara Torres. Photo by Manny Hernandez/Getty Images
3. Make an Impression with Your Presence
Dayanara is clear on this: a queen must make an impact from the very first moment. “Lina impresses just by arriving,” she said. This strong, magnetic presence was another key factor Lina used on her way to the crown.
Lina grew up in the public eye. She faced criticism about her language skills and height. Far from weakening her, these challenges made her stronger. They helped her move forward with more character and determination.
In short, Lina Luaces didn’t win Miss Cuba just for her beauty. She didn’t win only because of her famous last name. She won because she truly listened. She learned. And she put advice into practice that went far beyond makeup and dresses.