The past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for Lina Luaces, the newly crowned Miss Universe Cuba. On July 8, the 22-year-old took the title. Since then, it has drawn waves of criticism, from those questioning her appearance and accent, to others claiming her family background, as a member of the Estefan family, played a role in her win.
Lina has faced head-on comments in the media and on social media. Despite it all, she has stayed focused on preparing for Miss Universe 2025 and enjoying the present, taking things one day at a time. With that in mind, Miss Universe Cuba shared a heartfelt message online, promising to be a worthy representative of the island that raised her parents, grandparents, and uncles.
“I understand that with great power comes great responsibility, and I welcome it with open arms — not only for my inner child, who felt misunderstood, invisible, and silenced for years, but for every Cuban and every soul in the universe who has ever carried those same feelings in their heart,” said Lina, daughter of Lili Estefan.
“I feel incredibly blessed and honored to take on this role, and I don’t take it lightly. I promise to lead with discipline, integrity, and love,” she added, noting that she has been working hard recently to improve her Spanish.
In her message, Lina opened up about living for years with the feeling that she didn’t deserve the good things in her life. “For most of my life, I struggled with the belief that I didn’t deserve anything. I often asked myself: Why me? Why did I get to see the world the way I have or live the life I’ve lived? The only difference between another woman and me was luck.”
“I almost came to resent it. I carried a deep, quiet guilt until I began to grow in my faith and understand God’s purpose. I’ve come to realize that nothing happens by accident. God doesn’t make mistakes. Instead of questioning my blessings, as I did my whole life, I now see them as a call to expand, uplift, and open doors for those who haven’t yet had the same opportunities.”
Without directly addressing the recent criticism about her family background, Lina acknowledged that while she cannot change where she comes from, she can choose to make the most of it to make her country proud. “I can’t control where I come from. Yes, I can control what I choose to do with it. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have had the opportunity to learn, grow, and receive the best example and advice from my family. I’m no longer ashamed to say that. On the contrary, I am proud and deeply grateful.”
“I represent a generation born from Cuban exile. While many see it as a weakness that Spanish isn’t our first language, I see it as one of our greatest strengths. Languages aren’t barriers, they’re bridges. Today I stand here to be that bridge between cultures, between generations, and to remind our people that we should never be ashamed to speak the language of our hearts.”
“Since I was a child, my immigrant family taught me a powerful truth: freedom is a privilege, and I carry it with reverence. These past nine weeks have tested me in ways I never imagined. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I am enough just the way I am.”
“I’m not defined by where I come from, but by where I’m going, and by the light, love, and example I choose to share. When we’re cut open, we all bleed the same. At the end of the day, I’m simply a human being, a human being with a dream that deserves to shine just as brightly. To everyone who believed in me, cheered for me, and saw something in me — even when I couldn’t see it myself — thank you, Cuba. I carry your hope in my heart, and I promise to make you proud. For years, others tried to define me. Today, it’s my turn.”
Lina signed off with a kiss to her fans and called herself “Pastelito de Guayaba,” a sweet nickname she’s embraced since her coronation in July.
A Clear Message to Her Critics
Alongside her video, Lina expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported her and offered gracious words for her detractors.
“To those who dragged me, criticized me, humiliated me, and unleashed their hate toward me on different digital platforms — thank you, too, for teaching me two great lessons. First, not to be like you. Second, thank you for helping me realize that the things you criticized — like my accent, the fact that I wasn’t born in Cuba but in Miami because of exile, and not speaking perfect Spanish — weren’t weaknesses but my greatest strengths. Xoxo, Pastelito de Guayaba.”