In Addition to the Crown and the Official Sash, Hernández Won $100,000 and Full Preparation to Proudly Compete at the Miss Universe® Pageant in Thailand this November
MIAMI – July 21, 2025 – Emotions ran high during tonight’s live finale of Telemundo’s Miss Universe® Latina, El Reality as Yamilex Hernández was crowned as the first Miss Universe® Latina who will proudly represent the U.S. Latino community at the 74th edition of Miss Universe® in Thailand. As the winner of the title, Hernández received a $100,000 cash prize, along with the official training and preparation for her journey to the international pageant.
Yamilex Hernández, a 29-year-old Dominican from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, fulfilled her dream of proving both to her family and herself that a third chance to succeed is truly possible. She migrated to the United States at the age of 13 and took on the role of mother to her siblings. Her father has been her greatest supporter during her two previous pageant experiences. Throughout the competition, she won over the judges and the audience with her charisma, discipline, and commitment to her social cause, whose goal is to raise awareness and advocate for mental health through education. Her participation stood out thanks to her outstanding performance in multiple challenges, as well as the strength she displayed as a Latin woman, which positioned her as one of the favorite contestants on the reality show.
Hosted by Jacqueline Bracamontes, the grand finale featured a spectacular gala where the finalists competed individually, leaving behind the Emerald and Ruby teams. Former Miss Universe® titleholders Alicia Machado and Andrea Meza formed the esteemed “Council of Queens,” offering guidance and support to the contestants throughout their journey.
Inspired by the traditional Miss Universe® pageant, the finalists made their final appearances in evening gowns, traditional national costumes – designed by each contestant to celebrate their Latin heritage- and swimsuits. They also presented their social causes and faced the decisive final question.
From the eight finalists, five were selected, then narrowed down to the top three, culminating in the crowning of the winner during the live broadcast.
Génesis Dávila was named first runner-up and Gemmy Quelliz second runner-up of Miss Universe® Latina, El Reality.
Miss Universe® Latina, El Reality is a multiplatform format that featured a group of contestants selected through a rigorous audition process, following the standards of the Miss Universe® Organization. Hosted by Jacqueline Bracamontes, the show followed talented Latinas competing for the title of Miss Universe® Latina and the opportunity to represent the U.S. Latino community at Miss Universe® to be held in Thailand later this year. While Alicia Machado and Andrea Meza contributed their expertise to the growth of the contestants on their respective teams, Emerald and Ruby, the judges Aracely Arámbula, David Salomón, y Fabián Ríos, combined with the audience vote, decided who advanced in the competition. Each episode showcased moments of bonding, training, and challenges, both at the Mansion and the Miss Universe® Latina School, as well as behind-the-scenes action hosted by Sebastián Villalobos. In the end, only one contestant was crowned Miss Universe® Latina, earning a cash prize and the right to compete in Miss Universe®.
Miss Universe® Latina, El Reality is available on the Telemundo app and on Peacock. The reality competition also aired simultaneously on Telemundo Internacional for viewers across Spanish-speaking Latin America.
For exclusive content, viewers can visit the @TelemundoEntretenimiento YouTube channel, Telemundo.com, and the Telemundo App, in addition to joining the conversation on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp and X via @Telemundo, and @TelemundoRealities, using #MissUniverseElReality and #MULER. Get the latest updates by downloading the Telemundo app, available on Google Play Store and the Apple Store.
Miss Universe® Latina, El Reality is a Telemundo original production under the executive production of Francisco ‘Cisco’ Suárez, EVP, Primetime Unscripted and Specials, along with Federico Lariño as executive producer.
About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises:
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises leads the media industry in the production and distribution of Spanish-language content for U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. The company serves U.S. Hispanics through its national broadcast network, the cable network Universo, and digital platforms including the Telemundo app, a suite of FAST channels, and streaming services, such as Peacock, among others. The Telemundo Network offers Spanish-language entertainment, news, and sports content reaching 95% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 owned stations and 91 affiliate stations. Telemundo also owns an independent station serving Puerto Rico. Anchored on Telemundo Studios, the network is the #1 producer of scripted Spanish-language content in the U.S., and the only network to produce original content specifically for US Hispanic audiences. Offering over 600 hours of reality TV shows a year, and top-rated live specials such as the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Miss Universe, Telemundo is considered the undisputed Home of Live TV in Hispanic media. The network is also the exclusive Spanish-language home of the world’s two most popular sporting events, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
Press contact:
Gerardo Oyola
Director, Alternative Programming Publicity
gerardo.oyola@nbcuni.com
