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MISS CUBAN AMERICAN BEAUTY PAGEANT

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Meet our 2011 Queens
 
Ana Beatriz Martinez Tapia, Miss Cuban-American 2011 was born in Camaguey, Cuba. During her reigning year, Ana Beatriz was the first to participate in the Annual Homestead Rodeo Parade in Hometead, Florida.  She traveled to Ecuador competed and won the title of World Sea Queen 2011 representing Cuba.  She also participated representing Cuba at Miss World Caribbean 2011 Pageant. We wish her the very best
 
Anay Perez, Miss Teen Cuban American 2011 was born in Havana, Cuba.  Anay has participated in various Fashion shows and pageants.  She was the title winner of South Florida's Perfect Miss preliminary to America's Perfect Jr. Miss Pageant. She was the first to travel to Guatemala to compete for the title of Miss Teenager Universe representing Cuba. We wish her the very best.

Meet our 2010 Queen
 
Jenny Arzola is crowned  Miss Cuban-American 2010.  She was born in Havana, Cuba and at the age of six, Jenny and her family moved to the United States to seek better opportunity. During her reigning year, Jenny participated along with seventeen other participants in costume parade at Gulfstream race track in Hollywood, Florida and crowned winner.  After that, Jenny traveled Ecuador to participate in Carnivals of Guayaquil.  She won the title of Reina Mundial del Carnaval en Ecuador pageant representing Cuba. Jenny is a student majoring in Broadcasting at Miami Dade College. After reigning year, Jenny participated in Nuestra Belleza Latina pageant and placed fourth runner up. We wish her the best Miss Cuban-American 2010.

The winnings of 2009!
Vanessa Gonzalez,is our new Miss Cuban American 2009. Vanessa was born in Miami of Cuban Parents. During her reigning year, she represented Cuba and won the title of Queen of the Sea 2009 pageant in Ecuador. After winning that title, she became the winner of Miss Golf 2009 in Braunfels, Germany.
Among 60 other contestants from Russia, England, Finland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Venezuela
and many other countries.  After her reigning year, Vanessa went on to competing in other pageants.  She entered and won the title of Miss Pinecrest USA 2011, preliminary pageant to Miss Florida USA. She became the title winner of Miss Earth Miami 2011, peliminary to Miss Earth Florida. She also won the title of America's Perfect Miss. She is a current a student of Florida International University and also works as a reporter for a local news TV station in Miami pageant coach for Pageants Universe. We congradulate Vanessa as she now the best queen of queens!
 
 The MCA MODELS MANAGEMENT base in Miami Florida  www.misscubanamerican.net .  Since 1985, the original pageant  of Miss Cuban American, the pageant has obtain winners at internantional levels such as Dailin Garcia, Miss Cuban-American 1991, winner of Reina Internacional de la Costa 1991 in Costa Rica, Suhame Miralles, Miss Cuban-American 2005, winner of Reina Mundial del Cafe 2005 in Guatemala, Lissette Garcia, Miss Cuban American 2007, winner of Queen Of the World 2007 in Germany and now Vanessa Gonzalez , Miss Cuban-American 2009, winner of Queen of the Sea 2009 in Ecuador and now Miss Golf 2009.

 

Bringing home a world Crown

On November 18, 2006, Lissette Garcia, 21 years old Medical Student at Miami-Dade College was crowned Miss Cuban-American 2007.  Lissette has competed in various pageants.  Her first winning title was Miss Coconut Grove 2006 and placed top 20 semifinalists in Miss Florida USA 2006.  During her reigning year as Miss Cuban-American 2007, she was the first to represent Cuba in the Queen of the World Pageant held in Germany and was crowned the Winning Title.   Lissette also represented Cuba in the Reina Hispanoamericana 2007 pageant. After her reigning year, Lissette participated and won the title of Miss Miami Tropic gaining her entry to Miss Florida USA 2011 and won the title.  She will be competing in Miss USA 2011. We want to wish the best to Lissette Garcia for all her success, Miss Cuban-American 2007.

A Sad loss
We would like to dedicate this moment in memory of Acela Watson, mother of Miss Cuban-American 2001, Fatima Watson.  Born on December 6, 1944 in Guantanamo, Cuba, Acela was a very devoted wife, mother, and great friend. In 1993, Acela received an award and became part of the Miss Cuban-American Pageant Committee as well as other mother's contestants and winners.  She always supported the Pageant and the Cuban Community in events such as Cultural Fridays Art Festival of Little Havana. Aside from being a pageant mom, Acela worked as a Certified Nurse Aide until 1998 when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Since then Acela chose to put up a good fight receiving ongoing treatments such as Chemotherapy and Radiation.  She was known to always keep a smile on her face even after her battle with breast cancer.  After a few years on remission, in 2004 she was diagnosed with Bone marrow cancer.  She continued to fight her illness until her battle came to an end on the morning of January 28, 2007.  In support of the memorial service of Acela Watson, the family would like to give a special thank you for the presence of the following people: Miss Summer USA 2004, Anna Moreno Nava, the families of Miss Cuban-American 2006, Raisa LaRosa and Miss Cuban-American 2000, Barbarann Marino, Henrry Meza and other Pageant Committees.   To Acela Watson, you were a great example of a strong Cuban woman and will never be forgotten.  Rest in Peace. 

TOP Place!

Miss Cuban-American 2005 Suhame Millares crowned Raisa LaRosa Miss Cuban-American 2006.  During her reigning year, Raisa participated various local and international events such as Junior Orange Bowl parade of Coral Gables, Florida, and Carnival of Ecuador.  She competed in Miss Carnival International Pageant representing Cuba and was placed 2nd runner up.  Raisa then traveled to Dominican Republic and competed in Miss Ambar Mundial Pageant representing Cuba.  There she was placed top ten finalists.  After her reigning year, Raisa went on to winning the title of Miss Westchester USA 2011, preliminary to Miss Florida USA 2011. Raisa then competing and won the title of Orlando's Perfect Miss, preliminary to American's Perfect Miss. She then became preliminary winner of Miss Florida Beautiful and went on to winning the title of Miss International BeautifulRaisa currently works in the Insurance Field.  We wish the best to Raisa La Rosa, Miss Cuban-American 2006.

 

The Third Mulata
Suhame Millares was crowned Miss Cuban-American 2004-2005 after eight months moving from Cuba.  Suhame traveled from Ocala, Florida, where she currently stays with her family to compete in the pageant.  She blew the judges away after her reply to the question of the meaning of her name; Suhame. She is our third Mulata in our pageant history to win the title of Miss Cuban-American after Susy Diez, Miss Cuban-American 1987 and Fatima Watson, Miss Cuban-American 2001. During her reigning year, Suhame has participated in varies events such as the Three Kings Parade in Little Havana, Jose Marti Parade in Hialeah, and special events in Italy. During the events, Suhame had the opportunity to meet with important Latin Celebrities such Salsa singer, Oscar De Leon, and Reggaeton singer, Ivy Queen. Suhame is the first queen to be featured in the front cover of Hispano Magazine.  She was on television shows with Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega and Despierta America with Miss Cuban-American 2002, Nathalie PozoSuhame received the award of the Key of City of Hialeah.  She is the first to compete representing Cuba in International Pageants such Miss World Carribbean in the British Virgen Islands winning the title of Miss Photogenic, Miss Italia nel Mondo in Italy placing in the tenth finalist, and winning the title World Coffee Queen 2006 in GuatemalaSuhame studied Architecture at the University of Cuba and is now pursuing her studies in the United States. She speaks English, Spanish, and Italian.  We wish her the very best, Suhame Millares, Miss Cuban-American 2004-2005.

20th Anniversary Celebration
 
Miss Cuban-American Pageant just celebrated their 20th Anniversary on December 18th, 2004.  Celebrating Beauty and Culture for twenty years in the making.  During the pageant the contestants opening featured them in Carnival Culture Dresses.  The Cuban Woman of the year, La Mujer Cuban Del Ano 2004 was named to Mrs. Berta Ross.  The Pageant as come very far in the making due to the impossible making of the situation of our government in Cuba.  Although, there are no representative of Cuba able to enter the world's most popular international pageants such as Miss Universe and Miss World, we have come a long way in competiting in smaller international pageants such as Miss Amber Mundial, Miss Reina International, Miss Mundo Latino, and many more held in countries such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, and Canada.   This year the pageant committee will skip the year 2004 to become current.  All of this years title winners will be name in Miss Cuban-American 2005.  The following pageant will be titles of Miss Cuban-American 2006.

Another Miss Carnival
From Miss Cuban-American 1990, Ivis Guerra and Miss Cuban-American 1997, Lissette Gonzalez to Miss Cuban-American 2002, Nathalie Pozo.  We are please to announce that the winning title of Miss Carnival Miami 2005 is are very own Nathalie Pozo. Nathalie has competed in varies pageants such as Miss Hispanidad.  Her first winning title was Miss Cuban-American 2002 where she was crowned by Miss Cuban-American 2001, Fatima Watson and Miss Cuban-American 2000, Barbarann Marino.  During her reigning year, Nathalie participated in varies events such as the festival of the Cuban Parade of New York and Fourth of July Parade in Weston Florida.  She was also awarded the key of the City of Miami.  Nathalie is currently working on her studies in Broadcasting.  She has hosted the show of Univision's Despierta AmericaNathalie will be competing in the Miss Florida USA 2005 pageant.  We wish her the very best.
 

2003 Second Runner up
 
We would like to take the time to speak about one of our pageant runners up.  Anna Moreno Nava as worked as model and participates in support of varias.  Being of Cuban and Venezuelan decent, Anna is proud to represent her culture in International levels.  She was our second runner up in the Miss Cuban-American 2003 pageant.  As a runner up she participated along with Yaisell Hernandez, Miss Cuban-American 2003, Liannet Borrego, Miss Teen Cuban-American 2003, and the other title winners such as, Miss Modelo, Miss Maja, and Reina de 20 de Mayo in guest events such as Three Kings Parade.  She's also competed varias pageants such as Miss Carnival Miami, and represented U.S.Cuba in the Miss Mesoamerica International Pageant.  Anna also competed and won the title of Miss Summer USA 2004 pageant.  Recently, Anna compete in Miss World Carribbean Pageant in the Bristish Virgen Island representing the United States and won the title of Miss Cultura.  We wish her the best in all her achievements.

Second Double Winner!
 
On November 15, 2003, Yaisell Hernandez was crowned the title of Miss Cuban-American 2003 after winning the title of Miss Teen Cuban-American 1998.  Yaisell is our second two title winner since the 1995 Miss Cuban-American pageant in which Gudelay Gonzalez achieved her second crownAmong her achievements, Yaisell is an honor student currently attending Florida International University and is majoring in Law.  During this year's pageant interviews, Yaisell managed to impress the judges with her personality, as well as, her charismatic presence. Unfortunately, life has not always been easy for Yaisell, due to the recent death of her mother to Cancer.  She has been a positive role model and has demonstrated to us all  that even during hard times we can still achieve goals as long as we remain strong and face life with optimism.  Yaisell will be our first queen to travel to Canada to represent Cuba in the Miss Mundo Latino Pageant. We wish Yaisell the very best during her reigning year and a bright future.  Congratulations Yaisell Hernandez, Miss Teen Cuban-American 1998 and Miss Cuban-American 2003.  You really deserve it!

New Times-Tiara Squirma
 
The Miss Cuban-American pageant committee celebrated for the Nineth Year the best Pageant ever replete with Beauty and Culture.  With the help of our Sponsors and Miami's Channel 51 Telemundo, we were proud to present special guests appearances such asthe talented Cuban singer, Carlos Manuel, and the upcoming and handsome Actor, Pedro Moreno, who was featured as the lead Protagonista de la Novela. - both comprised an important  part in the panel of Judges.  Our  featured guest was Telemundo's very own, Noticias 51 reporter, Maria Montoya.  Maria Montoya graciously presented the "Mujer Cubana del Ano", Cuban Woman of the Year, during the 2003 Miss Cuban-American Pageant
 
In addition, a dash of  spice was added to this year's pageant showcasing an opening act in tribute of the incomparable legend, Queen of Salsa, the late Celia Cruz
 
Since the success of the nineth annual pageant, this event, like many others, have gone through ups and downs.  On the downside false exposure in local newspaper magazine Miami New Times, we would like to give a special thank you for placing on the front cover, Miss Cuban-American 2002, Nathalie Pozo with a featured article of the Miss Cuban-American Pageant in itself.  Unfortunately, to lack of research by the written author, there were many false and unecessary statements made against the pageant and the personal life of the Pageant Executive Director, Mario Princigalli. Issues were brought up about the Teen title winners 2002Miss Teen Cuban-American 2002 title taken over by Justine Llanes is no different from Miss Universe 2003 title taken over by the Pananamian contestant after the Russian beauty queen won.  Because of this Scandal, there will be no representation of Miss Teen Cuban-American 2002. Regardless of this issue, after almost twenty years, Miss Cuban-American Pageant will continue celebrating the youth of Beauty and Culture of todays Cuban Decent.  God Bless!

Best Achieved Contestant 2002
 
We would like to take a moment to dedicate space in focus for one of our contestants, Alexandra Santibanes.  This young Cuban American competited in the 2002 competition and won the titles of Miss Fotogenia, Miss Congeniality, and Best Achieved award.  Unlike other contestants, Alexandra was the first contestant to compete while in wheelchair. Her natural beauty, poise, and courage did not stop her from competiting in all the categories of such as swimsuit and evening gown. Along with Nathalie Pozo, Miss Cuban-American 2002, receiving the award key of the City of Miami, Alexandra has been honored by the City of Hialeah Mayor for her courage and setting a very positive example that anything is possible. 

Realcities-Things to Do
 
Miami Herald Post 11/22/02- Seems like every day is a beauty pageant for many girls in Miami, where even a trip to Publix is cause for dressing up like J. Lo. Local Cuban-American princesas will have the chance to get all dressed up for a real reason, however, when the Miss Cuban-American International Beauty Pageant takes place Saturday. In its 18th year, the winner of Miss Cuban-American International will receive a $2,000 college scholarship, go on to represent Miami's young Cuban-American women in other national and international competitions, and will do doubt have the opportunity to go onto bigger and better things. Maybe they'll even go on to be a hair salon owner and surrogate mother to a young Cuban immigrant boy like this year's pageant's La Mujer Cubana del Ano, Cuban Woman of the Year 2002 -- Marisleysis Gonzalez. The night begins 8 p.m. Saturday at the Manuel Artime Theatre, 900 SW First St., Miami. Call 305-575-5057.

La Negra tiene un Tumbao
 
From Susy Diez, Miss Cuban-American 1987 to Fatima Watson, Miss Cuban-American 2001. Fatima is our second millenium winner and the second mulata to win the title of Miss Cuban-AmericanFatima competed in our pageant for the first time in 1993 and won the title of Miss Modelo that year along with Mercy Vidal who won the title of Miss Cuban-American 1993. From then on, Fatima has placed finalist in varies of pageants and model searches such as semifinalist JC Penney Hispanic Designer Model Search 1993, fourth runner up in Miss Art Deco Dore 1994, first runner up in Miss Florida Latina 1995, preliminary to the Miss America Latina pageant, title winner of Model of the New Era 1999, and Reina del 20 de Mayo 2000.  During her reigning year as Miss Cuban-American 2001 she participated in the Orange Bowl Parade riding with the Grand Marshalls, City of New York City Chief of Police and Chief of Firefighters of New York City in support of the never forgotten tragedy of September 11, 2001. Aside from competing in pageants, Fatima worked as a model doing runway shows, print, and music videos.  She has also been featured on television shows such as Sabado Gigante and the Cristina Show segment, La Negra tiene un Tumbao dedicated to Salsa Queen the late Celia Cruz. Fatima is a student at Florida College majoring in Esthetic Skin Care.  Her goal is to one day have her own Cosmetic Skin Care line.  We wish her the very best.

Saving our Rights
 
The Orange Bowl parade is one of the most traditional events for the City of Miami. As a part of that tradition, the title winners have always had a place every year. Recently all that had changed. A week before the actual event of the Orange Bowl Parade, the Executive Producer, Mario Princigalli, received a telephone call from the coordinator of the City of Miami Floats and was told the local queens were excluded from the parade due to the replacement of other queens from outside. The reason for this was for the fact of being Hispanic. After this remark was being made, the dispute took charge immediately against the City of Miami Floats. With the help of all the local heartbroken queens, Latin Quarter Association Corp, and the help of the media, such as Univision and Telemundo, the tradional placement of the parade was saved. On New Years Eve 2000, the local queens were able to join hands with the out of state queens and ride down the parade proudly.

Our Millenium Queen
 
Barbara Ann Marino, Miss Cuban-American 2000, was our first millenium winner. Born in New York of Cuban decent, Barbie has alot of experience in the modeling and pageant industry. At the age of fifteen, Barbie started competing in pageants. She competed in Miss American Teen Coed 1993 and won her very first pageant. From there she started doing fashion runway for various designers. She was also picked to work as a spokesmodel in the international Hispanic game show on Univision, Sabado Gigante. She was placed first runner up in Miss Carnival Miami 1994 and that same year she entered Miss Art Deco Dore 1994 and won her title. From there she participated in the event of League Against Aides. She went to Dominican Republic and competed in the international pageant of Miss Ambar Mundial 1995 and was crowned winner. From there she started her own television program for a two year duration. Barbie is currently majoring in Broadcasting. Apart from her beauty and  talent, Barbie is charming and outgoing. We congradulate her for her all her achievements and wish her the very best in all her future successes.

Our favorite Cuban Male
 
Mr. Cuban-American, Tony Miro won his title in 1998. A year after he won the competition of Mr. South Florida 2000. He is recognized and most admired as one of the most gorgeous Cuban male model. Tony works as a model doing print work. Keep up the good work Tony!

Another Miss Latina
 
Just as Dailin Garcia, Miss Cuban-American 1991Catherine Rodriguez, Miss Cuban-American 1998, is the second in line of queens from our pageant to win the title of Miss Latina USA representing Florida.  During her reigning year, Catherine participated in varies events such as Three Kings Parade in Little Havana, Jose Marti Parade in Hialeah, and Carnival de Ponce in Puerto Rico.  After her reigning as Miss Cuban-American 1998, Catherine decided to join the United States Military.  There she will serve in duty to protect United States.  A big salute to Catherine Rodriguez, Miss Cuban-American 1998.

Highway to Broadway
 
Miss Cuban-American, Lissette Gonzalez, won her title in 1997. During her reigning year, Lissette participated in the campaign for League Against Cancer. After completing her reigning year, she entered in Miss Carnival Miami Pageant in 1998 and won.  By winning that title she enter Miss Florida 1998 and won the Preliminary state pageant that year. She has been honored to be the first Hispanic ever to win Miss Florida.  In the Miss America Pageant,she won swimsuit competition and was placed second runner up in the Miss America Pageant. Lissette has a talented singing voice and is currently on Broadway in New York City. We wish her the very best with her career.

Twice the Winner
 
Our two time pageant title winner, Gudelay Gonzalez, won Miss Teen Cuban-American 1993 which was her very first winning title.  Later on she won Miss Cuban-American 1995This Cuban born beauty, came to the United States at an early age and started competing as a child.  Gudelay has competed in many pageants and placed as a finalist in pageants such as second runner up in Miss Continente 1991, first runner up in Miss Festival Barranquilla USA 1992, and semi-finalist in Miss Hispanidad 1993Gudelay has the ability to project her beauty and express herself very well. She further works as a fashion model in for the print market and television. She has demonstrated to be true Cuban women that has educated herself very well and represents her culture and language.  We congratulate her on being the first to win the two independent titles which is Miss Teen Cuban-American Pageant 1993 and Miss Cuban-American 1995.

Bringing home the Crowns
 
Miss Cuban-American, Dailin Garcia, won her title in 1991. That same year she was sent to compete representing Cuba in the pageant of Reina de la Costa Int'l International Queen of the Coast in Costa Rica and won. After completing her reigning year as Miss Cuban-American 1991, she entered the pageant of Miss Latin USA in 1993 representing the State of Florida and won. Congradulations to Dailin.

First Queen of the 90s
 
Miss Cuban-American 1990, Ivis Guerra was our first queen of the nineties.  During her reigning year, Ivis represented Cuba in the Miss Super Tanga International Pageant in Puerto Rico and won the title of Miss Elegance that same year.  Ivis was our first queen to receive the award Key of the City of Miami.  She also had the opportunity to traveled to Haiti and meet President Abril. After her reign, Ivis continued competing in other pageants such as Miss Hispanidad 1995 and was placed as a finalist.  She then became the title winner of Miss Carnival Miami 1996 Ivis continues working in modeling and acting.  She has done varies commercials and landing roles in Spanish Novelas

This page contains news of all our title winners and contestants.  We are always updating.  If were a title winner or contestants and would like to be featured please contact our Pageant Directors.