At 28, Susana Lucía Medina is not only fulfilling one of her biggest dreams, but she’s also proving that beauty and academic achievement can go hand in hand. Spain’s representative at Miss Universe has devoted much of her life to modeling, a career she began at just 14 years old. Back then, she never imagined that the girl who dreamed of walking the runway would one day have the chance to make her country proud on one of the most important stages in the world: the 75th edition of Miss Universe.
Born in the Canary Islands, Susana has built her path between the runway and the classroom. While she was developing her modeling career, she decided to study law, successfully balancing her studies with her professional commitments. It’s a choice that reflects one of the sides of herself she’s most eager to highlight: that of a woman who can chase her dreams without giving up her intellectual goals. In addition to her degree, Medina completed a learning program through Harvard University. Although it was an online format, Susana shares with ¡HOLA! Américas how this opportunity transformed her outlook and inspired her to reach even higher.
Susana Lucia Medina is seen at the Hotel Martinez during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2026 in Cannes, France.
Along with opening up about how she trained both in the classroom and on the runway, the beauty queen told us that she went through a very difficult period of bullying in her teenage years. That experience shaped her character and even became one of the driving forces behind her social commitment, so that no other child or young person has to go through what she did. Through the organization Seeds of Respect, she supports initiatives aimed at preventing and combating bullying at school and in the workplace, as well as other forms of discrimination and violence.
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As we spoke, Susana shared her dream of bringing home Spain’s second Miss Universe crown. The first and only time the “Madre Patria” won the title was in 1974, when Amparo Muñoz was crowned. Now, 52 years later, Susana is hoping to make history and give her country yet another reason to celebrate. This year, Spain was crowned champion of the FIFA World Cup, and the country also earned the first runner-up spot at Mister International 2026.
The Canary Island beauty also faces a major challenge, as by 2026 beauty pageants may not be quite as appealing to the general public—especially in Europe—as they are in parts of South America or Asia. Still, it’s worth remembering that in 2024, just two years ago, Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark took home the crown at the competition.
Susana Medina attends the "Lacoste X Chien 51" Photocall at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival
Fully aware of this challenge, Susana says she feels calm and confident, as the response since her coronation has been overwhelmingly positive. On top of that, in recent weeks she has emerged as one of the favorites. With just weeks to go before Miss Universe, Susana Lucía Medina is ready to give it her all at the upcoming edition of the pageant, which will take place on November 24, 2026, at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
How are you celebrating another trip around the sun? I imagine this has been an especially important year for you, with all the preparation leading up to Miss Universe.
It has honestly been a nonstop year! We’ve been working incredibly hard, first preparing for Miss Universe Spain and then getting ready for Miss Universe.
I’m extremely happy and grateful. This has always been my dream, so winning the Miss Universe Spain crown and having the opportunity to proudly represent my beloved country is an incredible feeling.
How did your modeling career begin, and how have you managed to balance it with your law studies?
I started modeling when I was 14 years old. My mother was actually the one who took me to a modeling agency. Ever since I was little, I loved putting on high heels, playing with makeup, and pretending I was walking down a runway. My mother noticed that passion early on, and when I turned 14, she decided to enroll me in an agency.
Growing up, I was actually insecure about my height. I saw it as a flaw, but joining the agency completely changed my perspective. Suddenly, something I had considered a disadvantage was being celebrated as one of my greatest strengths.
That experience helped me embrace who I was and understand the importance of loving ourselves exactly as we are. I decided to make the most of my height, and that’s how my modeling career began.
Before long, I was walking in major fashion shows, especially internationally. Now, at 28, I’ve spent half my life working as a model.
When I turned 18, I began pursuing a double degree in Law and Business Administration and Management. However, balancing two degrees with my modeling career became increasingly difficult, so I decided to focus exclusively on law.
I initially attended university in person in the Canary Islands, where I’m from, but eventually transitioned to online classes, which allowed me to continue my studies while working.
Tell me about your experience studying at Harvard. What did you learn?
I completed what was essentially a specialized program. It began with a course that lasted approximately one month. After completing the coursework and passing all the exams, which were conducted online, I had the opportunity to continue with more advanced training, similar in length to a semester.
It was an incredible opportunity. Although the entire experience was online, being able to learn from professors who also teach on Harvard’s campus was something I simply couldn’t pass up.
I’m incredibly grateful to have had that experience, and I would love to return for additional courses in the future.
Miss Universe Spain Susana Lucia Medina walks the runway at the Giannina Azar show during New York Fashion Week
What would you tell the young Susana who first walked into that modeling agency with big dreams, perhaps a few insecurities, and who is now representing her country at Miss Universe?
I would tell her to keep believing in herself and never change who she is.
Sometimes, because of the experiences we go through, we try to adapt ourselves to fit other people’s expectations. We change certain things about ourselves simply because we want to be accepted.
But I believe that doing so can actually prevent us from reaching our full potential or achieving the things we truly want.
Staying authentic and embracing who I am has been one of the biggest reasons I’ve been able to come this far.
So I would tell that little girl to stay exactly as she is, trust herself, and never stop believing in her dreams.
You mentioned that you're from the Canary Islands. What has been the most meaningful part of representing your home at the national pageant and now on the Miss Universe stage?
It’s an incredible honor.
I’ve actually competed in beauty pageants before. In 2022, I participated in Miss Universe Spain after winning the title representing the Canary Islands.
When I decided to compete again this year, I knew that if I was going to pursue the national crown, something I had wanted for so long, I had to do it while proudly representing my islands.
I’m incredibly grateful for that opportunity.
The Canary Islands actually have quite a few similarities with the Caribbean, and we share many cultural connections. Being able to showcase my culture, my home, and my history on such an important stage means everything to me.
What has been your biggest challenge representing a European country where beauty pageants may not be as popular as they once were? Of course, we also saw Denmark take home the Miss Universe crown in 2024.
I think we do face certain disadvantages.
In Spain, there isn’t necessarily the same level of awareness or understanding surrounding beauty pageants. There are still misconceptions about what these competitions represent, particularly when it comes to women's empowerment.
Some people question whether beauty pageants truly empower women, and that can create certain limitations.
But we've been working hard to change that perception through different campaigns.
We want to show that Spanish women are not only beautiful on the outside but also have so much more to offer. They are educated, ambitious, passionate about social causes, and involved in meaningful projects.
And I’m happy to say that the response this year has been incredibly positive. We’ve received so much support, and people across Spain have really embraced this journey.
Spain has also had some exciting victories in other competitions, including football and Mister International, so there’s a lot of national pride and excitement right now.
I’m thrilled to be part of that momentum and to have the honor of representing my country.
Speaking of that excitement, you've also been ranked among the favorites by pageant experts. What excites you most about competing in Puerto Rico and seeing your name among the top contenders?
I absolutely love it! It fills me with pride because it shows that all the hard work we’ve been putting in is being recognized.
Regardless of the final result, receiving so much support already feels like a reward.
What makes me especially happy is knowing that I’m helping bring greater visibility to Spain and, of course, to my beloved Canary Islands.
Being able to carry those names onto an international stage is something very special.
And I’m also incredibly excited to experience Puerto Rico and enjoy everything this journey has to offer.
Susana LucÃia Medina is seen at the Hotel Martinez during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival
Beyond your work empowering women, you're also passionate about philanthropy. Tell me about your involvement with Seeds of Respect.
I first learned about this organization in 2020, and we’ve been working together for quite some time now.
I immediately connected with its mission because I experienced bullying myself from a very young age.
It started when I was nine years old, and I endured five full years of bullying. One of the things I was targeted for was my height.
When I discovered the work Seeds of Respect was doing, I thought it was such a beautiful and important initiative.
The organization uses virtual reality to create educational experiences in schools and workplaces. Through this technology, participants can experience the same bullying situation from three different perspectives: the person being bullied, the bully, and the bystander.
It’s a powerful way to help children and adults understand these situations, recognize harmful behavior, and learn how to prevent or stop it.
As soon as I heard about the project, I immediately asked what I could do to get involved.
I was thrilled when they welcomed me, and we’ve been collaborating ever since.
Our work focuses on raising awareness not only about bullying in schools and workplaces but also about homophobia and gender-based violence.
How did you overcome those difficult years of bullying? And what message would you share with girls and women who have experienced similar situations?
My biggest advice would be to never stop believing in yourself.
Don’t lose your essence or your authenticity, because the very things that make you different are also what make you special.
For me, it was important to focus on the positive things in my life, especially my family.
I’ve always been a huge animal lover and a passionate advocate for animal welfare, so spending time with my pets also brought me a lot of comfort and happiness.
I used those positive influences as motivation to keep moving forward.
Over time, I also realized that my experiences could help me give a voice to others and raise awareness about how to stop bullying.
I don’t have children of my own, but I do have nieces and nephews, and I want to help create a world where they, and all children, can avoid going through something as painful and difficult as what I experienced.
If sharing my story can help prevent even one child from experiencing that kind of suffering, then it’s worth it.
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