MIAMI — Contestants took the stage during the Miss Universe Haiti pageant on Sunday evening in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood.

Melissa Sapini, who was Miss Universe Haiti 2025, will hand over the crown to the winner, who will represent Haiti in the Miss Universe pageant on Nov. 24 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“I am a former Miss Massachusetts USA, so I have competed in Miss USA,” said Sapini, a proud Haitian American.

Lulu Orange, the director of the Miss Universe Haiti pageant, said each of the Haitian-American contestants represents the area where their parents are from.

“Haiti is a beautiful country. We are beautiful people, and we are going through some challenging times right now, but we are rescilient and we will get through this,“ Orange said about the ongoing violence in Haiti and the end of temporary protected status in the U.S.

The Little Haiti Cultural Complex hosted the pageant, which is usually held in Haiti. The event was set to end at 9 p.m.

Women compete in Miss Universe Haiti pageant in Miami

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Magdala Louissaint