Yamile Dajud is in the spotlight in El Salvador, where the Miss Universe 18 will be announced on November 2023.
The representative of Argentina attracts for her poise and charisma, but also for representing a country in which she did not spend most of her life in the beauty pageant.
Yamile was born 27 years ago in Buenos Aires. At 11, however, he moved to Colombia, the country of his parents. There she trained as a professional and, already with Colombian nationality, represented the Sucre department in the 2021 National Beauty Contest (she came fourth).
She also graduated as a social communicator from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
Dajud is part of the 72nd edition of Miss Universe 2023 for having won the Argentine edition of the same pageant. After the coronation, he highlighted his capacity for "leadership, proactivity and motivation".
"I am resourceful and pragmatic because of my capacity for objective analysis. One of my great skills is relationship and communication, I have a facility for expressing myself in public. I am also an empathetic person, I enjoy teamwork and I am in continuous disposition for learning," he said.
Dajud was born in Argentina and moved to Colombia when he was 11. Photo: EFE
A good preliminary gala
The model shone at the preliminary gala of the contest held shortly before the definition. Dajud shared a video of the best moments of his participation on Instagram and left a message of thanks.
"A more than special night that surpassed anything I could have ever dreamed of. It seemed unreal! What energy, what strength and what encouragement the audience gave us," he began.
Video
Dajud is 27 years old. He was born in Argentina, but lived most of his life in Colombia.
He added: "I can only say thank you! Thank you for making my heart vibrate with joy as well as making me vibrate to carry my country in my chest and in my soul."
His love for Argentina
Before flying to El Salvador, Yamile promised the Argentines to represent their country to the best of their ability. "The moment that my beloved Argentina has waited for so long, I leave for El Salvador with my heart more albiceleste than ever and full of passion and love for you."
And he added: "This adventure called Miss Universe begins. I can only tell you to be sure that I will give my best, and that in every second I will keep you present in my heart. I hope you will join me on this beautiful path."
Yamile's efforts to convince the Argentinian public have to do with the fact that at first glance people might think that they are more deeply rooted in Colombian culture than that of their native country.
However, she remembers her years in Argentina very well. In fact, her middle name is Luján in homage to the cathedral where she was baptized.
In conversation with People Magazine, Yamile said that Argentina marked her in her life and that "it has a unique and irreplaceable place" in her heart. "I experienced the departure with great sadness. I was very hurt by the news."
Yamile highlighted the "very characteristic values" of Argentine women and the country's society, linked to their "passion, enthusiasm and resilience".
Yamile Dajud is 27 years old and 1.77 meters tall. Photo: Instagram
"No matter what adversity they face, they put their best foot forward and don't give up. That is something very characteristic of Argentina that I hope to be able to highlight," he said.
Two Colombians in Miss Universe
The 2023 edition is full of curiosities and controversies. And the one about Yamile is one of them.
Dajud will compete against another Colombian contestant, Camila Avella (the winner of Miss Colombia). Both are just two of the 85 candidates who will seek to become the most beautiful woman in the world on Saturday at the José Adolfo Pineda National Gymnasium.
Camila Avella, the representative of Colombia. Photo: REUTER
The pageant will be televised live on USA Network and Telemundo Internacional.