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It was a night full of glamour, nerves, and heartfelt emotion at Costa Rica’s ANDE International Convention Center this Saturday, as the country crowned its newest beauty queen in the finale of Miss Universe Costa Rica 2025. In a packed auditorium that included reigning queen Victoria Kjær Theilvig, all eyes turned to Mahyla Roth, who was announced as the successor to Elena Hidalgo, who had the honor of placing the crown on Roth’s head.
Overcome with emotion, Mahyla shed tears of joy on stage, surrounded by her fellow finalists, visibly moved as a dream years in the making finally became a reality. However, her journey is far from over. In November, she’ll travel to Thailand to represent Costa Rica on the global stage at the iconic Miss Universe 2025 competition.
Meet Mahyla Roth
Among the 15 contestants competing for the crown, Mahyla Roth has stood out not only for her striking beauty but for her authenticity and powerful presence. A clear crowd favorite from the start, her name echoed through the venue in the final moments before the winner was announced.
The newly crowned Miss Universe Costa Rica is 26 years old and hails from the coastal town of Cahuita in Limón province. She’s also a passionate mental health advocate.
During the competition, Mahyla opened up about her years-long journey toward physical and mental wellness, a transformation that’s inspired many and helped her forge deep connections with supporters across the country.
“One day I just got tired,” she shared candidly. “I had a calorie counter and I threw it away. The next day, I started eating what I wanted, and I began to lose weight. When I stopped obsessing over food and stopped fearing it, I finally understood how vital it is to nourish our bodies.”
With years of pageant experience under her belt, including a semifinalist spot at Miss International 2022, Mahyla is no stranger to the spotlight. She has built an impressive modeling career both in Costa Rica and internationally, is signed with a Swiss agency, and is trilingual, fluent in Spanish, English, and Swiss German. Her face has graced magazine covers abroad, and now, her star is rising higher than ever.
A Love Story Rooted in Support
The country’s new queen also captured attention for another reason: her romance with Costa Rican journalist Rafa Pérez. Following her crowning moment, Pérez shared a deeply emotional tribute on social media, reflecting on the journey he witnessed behind the scenes: “I’d never seen anyone work so hard for a dream…until I saw Mahyla build hers, stone by stone,” he wrote.
“It was one of her life’s biggest goals. There were months of early mornings, rehearsals, tears, prayers, and smiles. I watched her go without sleep, hand-make her fantasy costume, glue on thousands of crystals in the middle of the night while dreaming aloud.”
He continued with a touching message of admiration, “My love, you made history. Not just for the title…but for the woman you are. I love you. I’m so deeply proud of you and your unwavering faith. That little girl in the photos is beaming, she made her dream come true. ✨ I’ll be right by your side, supporting you every step of the way. Now comes a big challenge and responsibility in Thailand. 🇹🇭”
Mahyla Roth has beauty, purpose, and fierce determination. She seems to be more than just a pageant winner, she’s a role model for self-love, resilience, and what it means to chase a dream with your whole heart. The world will be watching this November.