Aruba has a rich and active beauty pageant culture, with strong national pride in showcasing beauty, intelligence, and cultural heritage on both local and international stages. The island frequently sends representatives to prestigious global competitions like Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International.
Major Beauty Pageants in Aruba
1. Miss Aruba
Flagship national pageant established in 1964
Organized by the Miss Aruba Organization
The winner typically represents Aruba in:
Miss Universe
Miss World
Sometimes Miss International
Notable Miss Aruba Winners:
Name
Title Year
Achievement
Taryn Mansell
1996
Top 6 in Miss Universe
Zizi Lee
2001
Represented Aruba in Miss World
Nicole van Tellingen
2022
Represented Aruba at Miss Universe
2. Miss Teen Aruba International
Focused on young women aged 15–18
Prepares them for future international competitions
Promotes youth confidence, education, and talent
3. Señorita Aruba / Reina di Carnaval
A pageant held during the Carnival season
Celebrates culture, heritage, and traditional dress
Winners participate in Carnival parades and cultural events
4. Aruba’s Carnival Queen
A major cultural beauty title
Combines pageantry with dance, costume design, and performance
Popular during Aruba Carnival (January–February)
5. International Pageants Aruba Competes In:
Pageant Name
Representation by Aruba
Miss Universe
Since 1976
Miss World
Often via Miss Aruba
Miss International
Occasionally
Reina Hispanoamericana
Since the 2000s
Miss Earth
Less frequently
Pageant Goals in Aruba
Promote national identity and pride
Empower young women through public speaking, charity work, and modeling
Celebrate multilingualism, as contestants often speak Dutch, Papiamento, English, and Spanish
Training and Preparation
Contestants receive coaching in:
Runway walking
Public speaking
Makeup and styling
Cultural knowledge and etiquette
Successes and Recognition
While Aruba hasn’t won a major international crown, its representatives are often praised for:
