From Student to Queen: โBrenda Azaria‘s Unexpected Path to โMiss Universe Puerto Rico
Brenda Azaria’s journey to โฃbecoming Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016 was anything but conventional. She โdidn’t anticipate a pageantโ career,โ initially attending an agency simply โto learn modeling.It was the agency owner who suggested she audition for Miss Universe Puerto Rico, launching her into a whirlwind experience. However, her path to โฃthe crown took an even more unexpected turn โwhen the original winner was dismissed, and Azaria unexpectedly assumed the title.
The transitionโค was rapid. “The readiness time was somewhat goodโฆ Well, everything was a little rushed,” Azaria confessed, describing a demanding schedule that consumed her days from 4:00 AM training sessions to late-night โstudies and photo shoots. She emphasized the complete preparationโฃ required ofโฃ a “miss,” needing toโ learn aboutโ a wide โrange of โtopics. Despite the intensity, she expressed gratitude for the knowledge gained โฃduring this period.
Azaria fondly remembers the enthusiastic โreception โshe received in the Philippines,the host country for the 2017 Miss Universe competition.She was especially touched by the Filipinos’ adoration for former Miss โUniverse Dayanara โTorres, notingโ that simplyโค arriving in the country elicited shouts of “Puerto Rico!” from the crowds. “It is โฃsuch an excitingโฃ and satisfying feeling to arrive in a countryโ where you say ‘no one is going to know โme here’, and they already know you and support you without knowing whereโ you come from,” she shared.
While aiming โfor a sixth victory for Puerto Rico, Azaria maintained aโ focus on personal growth. โ”Only one takes the crown,”โค she acknowledged, choosing to prioritize the experience and connections made during the competition.
Looking back, Azaria feels proudโฃ of her performance at Miss Universe, thoughโ she wonders if a few more years of maturity mightโ have altered the outcome. She competed at โขthe โage of 22, and believes more experience could have been beneficial. Though, she โขfirmly stated she has no regrets about competing at that age.
Azaria credits the experience with โsignificant personal growth. “From not knowing anything about the world of modeling, to being โthe first finalist in the most crucial pageant in Puerto Ricoโฆ filled me with โa lot of pride and I showed myself that noโข matterโ the challenge I set for myself, if I have Father God in front of me, I will achieveโ it.” She now continues her studies in โฃarchitecture, believing the lessons learned as Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2016 have helped her becomeโ “the best version that Brenda Azaria could be.”
