Melissa Núñez, Miss República Dominicana Universo 2026, met the press for the first time since her coronation to outline her preparation for Miss Universo, set for November 4.
Speaking at the Hotel Intercontinental, Núñez said she hoped her reign would amount to more than a name on a title. She said she wanted every young girl who sees her wearing the crown and sash to feel inspired, calling that her greatest legacy. She added that true beauty comes from within rather than outward appearance, and that conviction would guide her year as titleholder.
Núñez said she will remain in Santo Domingo working full-time alongside pageant director Magaly Febles, who put the preparation schedule in motion the night of the coronation. She said the role demands complete focus. She described herself as disciplined and strict about everything she commits to, pointing to an ankle injury she pushed through during a previous competition as evidence of that commitment.
Adjusting her diet would not require a dramatic change, she said. She has maintained a professional model lifestyle for years, which would make this stage much easier to adapt to, and she noted she has put other projects on hold to concentrate exclusively on the international competition.
A head start on training
Febles said Núñez already has more than 50 percent of the required training complete. The organization restructured its model years ago so every candidate receives instruction before the winner is chosen, covering etiquette and protocol, public speaking, diction, acting, and physical conditioning.
Febles said Núñez will now undergo orthodontic treatment to refine her smile, follow a muscle-toning program for the swimsuit segment, and receive minor aesthetic adjustments. No surgery will be required, Febles said, freeing the team to concentrate on strengthening existing assets.
English fluency is also in Núñez’s favor, Febles said. Núñez responds naturally and eloquently, Febles noted, and the team plans to preserve that spontaneity as one of her strongest competitive assets.
Still the girl from La Vega
When asked about her journey, Núñez recalled a childhood photograph from La Vega showing her with pigtails and a broad smile. She said that girl remains her essence and that she now feels like a child at a fair, living the best moment of her life.
Her message, she said, rests on faith and self-belief. She urged people to never stop trusting in God and to bet on themselves, adding that a beauty pageant does not define a woman’s worth.
