Miss Universe Spain 2018

The Miss Universe Spain 2018 pageant took place on June 29, 2018 and ended with Angela Ponce being crowned Miss Universe Spain 2018. Ponce placed first among 20 contestants to win the opportunity to represent Spain at Miss Universe 2018.

The remaining Top 5 at Miss Universe Spain 2018 were:
1st Runner-up - Miriam Paredes
2nd Runner-up - Sheila Monjas
3rd Runner-up - Raquel Arias
4th Runner-up - Vanessa Fernandez
5th Runner-up - Andrea de las Heras

Angela Ponce, Miss Spain 2018, will be the first transgender contestant to compete for the title of Miss Universe. In 2013, the ban was lifted that prohibited transgender individuals from competing in the Miss Universe pageant. Ponce will make history when she graces across the Miss Universe stage in November.

With some pageant experience under her belt, Ponce will confidently arrive to the international pageant this year. In 2015, Ponce competed in the Miss World Spain pageant representing Cadiz. Although she didn’t win the crown, Ponce said that she still felt like a winner.

"I have the regional crown on my head and I will keep fighting to make us seen, to make us heard and to demonstrate that I am already a queen with my own crown."

Ponce was born male, but said that she always knew that she was different from the other boys. At the age of 11 she discovered her transsexuality and began her journey to become female. In 2014 she embraced her female identity with the help of surgery and hormone treatments.

After she won the Miss Spain crown she wrote on Instagram, “Bringing the name and colors of Spain before the universe is my great dream. My goal is to be a spokesperson for a message of inclusion, respect and diversity not only for the LGBTQ+ community, but also for the entire world.”