Representing a country on the Miss Universe stage is about more than wearing a sash. It is an opportunity to give a voice to the place that shaped you, the values you carry and the ambitions that extend beyond the competition. For Susana Lucía Medina, Miss Universe Spain 2026, that journey is deeply connected to her roots in Gran Canaria and the personal experiences that have brought her to this defining moment.
In conversation with HAUTE ÂME, Susana reflects on the values that have shaped her, what female empowerment means to her, how she hopes to use her platform to inspire other women and her perspective on ambition that places purpose alongside achievement.
HÂ: What values have shaped the woman you are today, and what does it mean to you to live with purpose?
Susana: The values that have shaped me the most are perseverance, discipline, humility and staying true to who I am. I have learned that not everything happens when we want it to. Sometimes you have to work for something for years, face disappointments, learn from them and keep going. That has been a very important part of my journey. For me, living with purpose means knowing why you are doing what you do and trying to make your journey meaningful beyond yourself. I have always wanted to grow as a woman, as a professional and as a person, and now that I have this platform, I want to use it to inspire others to believe that their dreams are possible if they are willing to work for them.
HÂ: What does it mean to you to represent Spain on the Miss Universe 2026 stage, beyond the crown and the title?
Susana: Representing Spain means much more to me than wearing a sash or a crown. I come from Gran Canaria, and I feel very proud of my roots and of everything that Spain
represents. I want people to see not only our culture and our diversity, but also the warmth, resilience and character of our people. And personally, I want to represent the story behind the woman wearing that sash. I have worked for years to reach this moment, and I know how much it means to finally be here. I want to arrive in Puerto Rico sure that I am carrying with me the dreams of many people who believe in me. My goal is to represent Spain with authenticity, humility and a lot of heart.
HÂ: What does female empowerment mean to you, and what do you hope to inspire in other women?
Susana: To me, female empowerment means understanding that you don't have to become someone else to be valuable. It means knowing your worth, making your own decisions, working for what you want and having the courage to take up space without feeling that you have to apologize for it.
I also believe that women don't have to choose between being feminine and being intelligent, ambitious or professional. We can be all of those things at the same time. If I can inspire another woman or a young girl to believe in herself a little more, to pursue her education, to follow a dream or simply to stop doubting her own potential, then I will feel that this platform has a real purpose.
HÂ: How are you preparing yourself : both mentally and physically - for the Miss Universe 2026 stage?
Susana: I am preparing myself in a very complete way because I know that Miss Universe is much more than a physical competition. Of course, I am working on my fitness, my nutrition, my walk and my overall presentation.
I am also working a lot on my communication skills, my English, interviews and especially - my mental preparation. I want to arrive in Puerto Rico feeling confident and prepared, but also calm. I don't want to spend these months trying to become a perfect woman. I want to become the best version of myself.
I have worked very hard to get this opportunity, and now I want to make the most of every single day of preparation. I know the competition will be intense, but I also know what brought me here: discipline, perseverance and the decision to never give up on my dream.
HÂ: If you were to win the Miss Universe crown, what would be your mission, and how would you use your platform to create meaningful change?
Susana: If I were fortunate enough to win the Miss Universe crown, my mission would be to use the visibility of that title to make people feel that they are capable of overcoming difficult moments and pursuing their dreams. I would especially like to continue giving visibility to issues that affect young people, such as bullying, self-esteem and the importance of asking for help when you need it. I know what it means to have a dream and to keep working for it even when it doesn't happen immediately. So I would like to use my story to remind young people that one difficult chapter does not define their whole life.
