Itza Castillo, the recently crowned Miss Universe Nicaragua 2025, knows her dreams don’t come true alone. She credits a special group of people for pushing her forward. Among them is her boyfriend, whose name she prefers to keep private for now. He’s been a rock, she says, during her journey to the national crown and now as she looks ahead to the Miss Universe stage.
In an exclusive chat with Us Weekly en Español, Itza opened up about her relationship for the first time. "He’s been a huge support," the 23-year-old from Managua shared excitedly. "He’s very patient and never pressures me. He always reminds me that everything will be fine." Itza added that her boyfriend is always there for her, whether she needs to talk things out or simply needs a hand. "He has supported me so much in achieving my dream," she said.
Itza already joked with her boyfriend that he needs to buy a ticket to Thailand. That’s where the Miss Universe 2025 pageant will take place this December. She sees him as a key part of her adventure. But he won’t be flying solo; at least ten of her closest friends have promised to travel and cheer her on from the front row. It sounds like she’ll have quite the fan club!
The Moment She Won: A Real Shock!
The coronation happened on September 4th during a big event in Miami. It was a historic night, held away from her home country because the pageant is currently organized in exile. Itza admits it was hard to be far from Nicaragua during such a big moment. But the warmth of the local migrant community made her feel right at home. "Miami is the second Nicaragua," she said with a big smile. "I heard people yelling ‘Managua, Managua’ before I went on stage, and it gave me chills. No matter where I am, I always feel like I carry my country with me."
Itza clearly remembers the exact moment her name was called as the winner. She confessed she was in total shock, frozen for a few seconds. She even had to hold her hands together because she was trembling so much. "My fellow contestants were shouting, ‘You won, you won!’" she recalled. "And I could barely move. I still feel like I need to process all those feelings."
Inspired by a Queen: A Special Friendship
Itza also looks up to Sheynnis Palacios, who made history by winning Miss Universe 2023. "She set the bar very high," Itza explained. "Not just for Nicaraguan women, but for all of Latin America." Itza also shared on the show Hoy DÃa (Telemundo) that she’s been friends with Sheynnis for 13 years. This deep connection makes Sheynnis’s international victory even more meaningful for her. "I relate a lot to her story," Itza added. "Like me, she succeeded from a humble background."
Itza grew up in a modest home, raised by a single mother. She says faith and her Catholic school education were really important foundations for her. "My faith was my biggest strength," she remembered. "It helped me push through when we faced financial struggles."
Her Hidden Talents
Most people see Itza for her modeling and public speaking skills. But she has a secret talent that might surprise you: she plays the flute. She’s also been practicing belly dance since 2017. With a laugh, she even joked that she could face off against Shakira in a dance battle.
As she prepares for Miss Universe, Itza has a clear goal. She wants to highlight the realness, toughness, and discipline of Nicaraguan women. "I am a very real woman, and I think that will be my strength," she said with confidence. She’s already planning to add public speaking, runway walking, and theater classes to her training.
Eyes on Thailand
Itza isn’t afraid of a challenge. She feels completely ready for the biggest moment of her life. "I will have all the tools to stand out in Miss Universe 2025," she stated firmly. With her family, her lifelong friends, and her supportive boyfriend cheering her on, Itza has everything she needs to shine bright in Bangkok.