Twenty-year-old Giulia Zanoni is about to take on a huge challenge. She will represent El Salvador at the Miss Universe pageant on November 21st. This big event demands lots of preparation. Giulia says her plans and strategies all center on being resilient.
Speaking with a popular publication, the young woman from La Unión shared her thoughts. She competed for her home region in the national contest. Giulia isn’t just ready to compete; she also wants to learn from the experience. She is keen to see how things unfold at the pageant, which will take place in Thailand this year. Giulia believes all the contestants at Miss Universe have good qualities. But if she had to pick her own best trait, she would choose resilience, she explained.
Giulia also shared a refreshing take on nerves. She feels they are part of the journey. She thinks we shouldn’t fight them, but rather feel them fully. “You’ll always feel nervous, even if you’ve done this before,” Giulia said. “But that’s the great part. It means you’re truly living and experiencing that moment.”
Daring to Dream: Letting Go of Fear
Giulia Zanoni was crowned Miss El Salvador by Isabella García. Isabella won the national title in 2023. That same year, Isabella made it into the Miss Universe Top 10. That was a big deal, as El Salvador hadn’t reached the Top 10 since 1996.
Giulia isn’t directly trying to beat Isabella’s Top 10 spot. However, she knows it adds a bit more pressure. She sees it as something to work with, not a goal to simply ‘pass’ or ‘beat.’ Isabella has reached out to her. She told Giulia to focus and give everything she has. Isabella also said Giulia is in great hands. She advised her to let herself be guided, explaining that experience is very powerful.
Before intense training, Giulia visited Miami to meet with the press. Next, she’s off to the Dominican Republic. There, she’ll start her final preparations for Miss Universe. “I’ll be training with my director, Magali Febles,” she confirmed. “I truly feel I’m in the best hands possible.” She admitted time is short. But she has no doubts that Magali will give her the best experience.
Giulia also shared an inspiring message. It’s for all young Salvadoran and Hispanic women. For those who dream of winning beauty contests and reaching Miss Universe, she has clear advice. She says the very first step is simple: be brave and dare to try. “Being brave is a great thing; it helps you lose your fears,” Giulia stressed. “If you just sit on the couch wondering ‘what if,’ nothing will happen. But making the choice and believing in yourself? That’s the best thing you can ever do.”
Giulia never really pictured herself in the pageant world. Not until she was 17, when she first started walking on runways. Yet, she now understands that emotions and nerves are just part of the journey. More importantly, she fully grasps the huge responsibility she carries. “It’s like carrying the name and weight of my whole country,” she explained. “The trust of all Salvadorans is resting on my shoulders.”
The 74th Miss Universe event will take place on November 21st. It will be held at the Impact Arena in Pak Kret. Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark, the reigning queen, will crown the new Miss Universe at the show’s end.