FAQ's ABOUT MISS U.S. LATINA
How old are the competitions?
The MISS LATIN AMERICA® OF THE WORLD and MISS U.S. LATINA™ competitions began as concurrent events in 1981 in Miami,
Florida; MISS TEEN U.S. LATINA™ made its debut in September 2003 in Riviera Maya, Mexico but it has not been held again since 2008.
Are these competitions different from others in the USA for Latinas?
Yes. MISS U.S. LATINA™ is the first national competition established in the country exclusively for Latinas and it continues to be the
ONLY one whose winner advances in representation of the USA to the international MISS LATIN AMERICA® OF THE WORLD Pageant.
It is the most prestigious and famous pageant in the world for Latinas, as well as the longest-running. (See HISTORY since 1983.) It is
also the only national Latina pageant in the USA that follows traditional pageant guidelines, among which is that delegates may not be
married or have children, and only one delegate can represent each state.
What are the competitions about?
In 1981, legendary Mexican TV host Raul Velasco produced the first national pageant for Latinas in the US and the franchise to select
the representative from Miami, Florida was awarded to entertainer and musical show producer Acirema Alayeto. When that competition
closed after two years, Ms. Alayeto established the international MISS LATIN AMERICA® pageant system to showcase Latin American
women and support their personal and professional pursuits, contributing also to the promotion of tourism and goodwill in the Americas.
Who produces these competitions?
Organizacion Miss America Latina, Inc., a Florida corporation, produces the pageants annually and directs a network of affiliates
nationally and internationally. Pageant licenses are awarded to operate state and national pageants around the world to select winners
to the MISS U.S. LATINA™ and MISS LATIN AMERICA® OF THE WORLD Pageants, respectively. It is the largest and oldest pageant
system exclusively for Latinas in the world. The Pageant Organization and its President/Founder have received awards and
recognitions from Presidents, Tourism Ministers, Governors, and Mayors here and abroad for their distinguished work and objectives.
(See some published at the ORGANIZATION page of this website.)
Where are these competitions held?
Initially held in Miami, Florida, since 1986 both MISS LATIN AMERICA® OF THE WORLD and MISS U.S. LATINA™ have taken place in
exotic locations in different Latin American countries each year. For US delegates, this has represented an exciting opportunity to
identify more firmly with their heritage and provide them with an enriching cultural experience. Host countries in the past have been
Costa Rica, Bolivia, Mexico, El Salvador, Argentina, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic. (See HISTORY for more details
and photos.)
How do the delegates get to the national competition?
Cities and states have preliminary competitions, which are produced by local and state directors. The winner of the local competition
goes on to compete in the state event for her hometown and state winners go on to the national competition. A delegate may also enter
a state competition without having won a city or local title, and where there are no state preliminaries, she may apply for her state’s
representation as an at-large delegate. MISS U.S. LATINA™ goes on to represent the USA at the annual MISS LATIN AMERICA® OF
THE WORLD Pageant.
Must delegates be US citizens to participate in the National competition?
No. The competition is open to anyone residing legally in the US and meets all of the other eligibility requirements for participation.
Can someone born in another country and living in the US represent that country in Miss Latin America® of the World?
No. Delegates to the MISS LATIN AMERICA® OF THE WORLD Pageant must participate in the competition of their respective countries
of residence to win that representation. However, “nationality” representation is available in the MISS U.S. LATINA™ competitions for
those living in the US that want to represent their birth place or that of their parents/grandparents.
What prizes do the winners receive?
Each title winner is awarded cash and prizes from the pageant and its sponsors.
Who sponsors the events?
Barceló Hotels & Resorts has been the major sponsor of the MISS LATIN AMERICA® and MISS U.S. LATINA™ competitions since 2000.
Eastern States Exposition sponsored the Miss U.S. Latina™ and Miss Teen US Latina™ Pageants in 2006. Past sponsors have also
included Namaste Laboratories, Pepsi-Cola, Max Factor, Wella, Meadow Gold Dairy and Macy’s, to name a few.