Why are there five American candidates for Miss Universe 2025? The rule everyone talks about

This is one of the biggest questions circulating on social media this season of Miss Universe: why are there five candidates with ties to the US competing in the same competition, and is that even allowed?

The debate erupted after fans realized that five women: Miss United States Alana Jones, Miss Latina Yamilex Hernández, Miss Ecuador Nadia Mejía, Miss Cuba Lina LuacesAnd Miss Nicaragua Itza Castilloare all born in the United States, based in the United States, or represent territories with deep ties to the United States.

As the Miss Universe 2025 pageant heats up in Bangkok, the controversy raises questions about fairness, nationality rules and the increasingly global nature of modern pageantry.

Who are the four candidates of American origin?

Miss United States – Alana Jones
A New York ballerina trained at Harvard, Jones officially represents the United States. She is one of the big favorites this year and the only delegate competing directly under the American flag.

Miss Latina – Yamilex Hernández
Representing the Latin community in the United States, Hernández was selected thanks to the Telemundo competition Miss Latin Universe reality TV show. Born in Texas to Dominican parents, she embodies the identity of U.S.-based Latinas, a growing population that now has its own seat on the Miss Universe stage.

Miss Cuba – Lina Luaces
A Miami-born model and daughter of television star Lili Estefan, Luaces is representing Cuba in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, marking the island’s return after more than 50 years of absence. Her Cuban-American origins have sparked discussions about diaspora representation and cultural authenticity.

Miss Nicaragua – Itza Castillo
Although she was crowned Miss Universe Nicaragua, Castillo spent much of her life in the United States and is currently based in Florida. His case highlights the common practice of international applicants who live abroad but hold citizenship of the country they represent.

Miss Ecuador – Nadia Mejía
Nadia Mejía, born in California, is the daughter of singer Gerardo, best known for his 1991 hit “Rico Suave”. She participated in the Miss USA and Miss Ecuador 2024 competitions, until obtaining the crown this year to represent her father’s country.

So, is it legal?

Yes, under the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) rules, each delegate must be a citizen, permanent resident or have legal ties (through parents or lineage) to the country or community they represent. “It’s like the (football) World Cup,” said Miss Universe presenter and Telemundo star Danilo Carrera. “Many players play for the team of their nationalized country, the country of their birth or that of their ancestors.”

“This flexibility allows dual nationals and diaspora candidates to compete, reflecting the modern reality that millions of people live outside their home countries,” added Jessica Carrillo, presenter of Telemundo “Al Rojo Vivo,” who is in Thailand to cover the competition.”

“Miss Universe has always celebrated diversity and identity,” added Carlos Aydán, star of “En Casa con Telemundo.” “As long as a candidate can legally prove her connection to the country, through birth, heritage or residency, she is eligible to represent it.”

This means that the five candidates linked to the United States are fully compliant with the rules.

But is it fair?

It depends who you ask. Critics argue that many applicants raised in the United States, particularly those trained by American competitive examination systems, may have an advantage in production experience, English proficiency and media exposure.

Fans on TikTok and Reddit have dubbed it “the Miss Universe USA multiverse,” suggesting that the lines between national representation and global branding are becoming increasingly blurred.

Others, however, see it a natural evolution of the competition world. “It’s not unfair. It’s real life,” said Jaqueline Bracamontes, former host of Miss Mexico and Miss Universe. “American-born Latinas are just as Latina as anyone else. They show what the modern diaspora looks like.”

Historians of the competition note that this trend is not new: in recent years, delegates for Miss Puerto Rico, Miss CanadaAnd Miss Australia were also born in the United States