One of the most anticipated moments at Miss Universe often revolves around the national costume competition. This year, Mahyla Roth, Miss Universe Costa Rica, is set to impress with a design she promises will be among the pageant’s most striking. She recently shared insights into her final preparations for Thailand and offered details about the challenging attire she will wear in the preliminary competition.
In an exclusive interview, Roth revealed that her national costume is now complete and has surpassed all her expectations. While she could not fully unveil the design, she spoke passionately about its profound connection to Costa Rican identity and the physical demands of presenting it on stage. "It’s spectacular and represents so much," she noted with a laugh before her flight. "When they showed me the sketch, I said: ‘No way,’ because it reflects so much of the essence I wanted to showcase internationally for Costa Rica."
The costume itself is a direct homage to the culture and nature of her home country, a piece rich in symbolism, color, and commanding presence. It also presents a considerable physical challenge. "Yes, it weighs about 10 kilograms," Roth confessed, which is approximately 22 pounds. However, she views the weight as another facet of her rigorous preparation, drawing on her fitness routine. "One thing that benefits me is that I love to exercise, so the gym helps me," she stated good-humoredly.
Described as golden with exaggerated hips and showcasing Roth’s long legs, the garment features intricate embroidery of rhinestones and pearls. Exaggerated shoulder pads, a crescent moon on the back, and an elaborate headpiece complete the look. Miss Costa Rica also carries a matching staff as an accessory.
Beyond the costume, Roth’s focus lies in a holistic preparation she has been building for years, now entering its most intense phase. She believes in an integrated approach to pageantry. "You can’t focus only on the runway or public speaking classes or on style," she explained. "It’s a complement of absolutely everything, because all areas are important." After years of training, even before securing her national title, she is now refining crucial elements: performance, runway walk, public speaking, and overall stage projection.
Her determination is evident in how she has handled the public spotlight since her coronation. While every queen faces scrutiny, Roth highlighted the overwhelmingly positive feedback she received, which provided significant emotional momentum. "99% of the comments were positive," she shared. "I am very grateful because that motivates me to move forward and the reflection of that love and support has been seen."
Roth also revealed a more personal and spontaneous side, sharing a charming secret: she learned to imitate frogs in school. She even playfully recounted how she once fooled tourists by mimicking the sounds of these animals typical of Costa Rica’s Caribbean region. Her Caribbean heritage extends to her culinary preferences; her favorite dish is the traditional rice and beans, a blend of beans with coconut, rice, roasted chicken with sugar and coconut milk, ripe plantains, and salad.
In terms of motivation and spirituality, Roth shared that her first action upon waking is to give thanks to God, whom she considers her greatest good luck charm for the competition. "My amulet is God, He is always with me," she affirmed. Her focused discipline and charisma position her as a strong contender in Miss Universe. With her challenging and symbolic national costume ready, Mahyla Roth looks forward to the possibility of discussing her reign as the new Miss Universe in future interviews.