This past weekend, Guizza Steenvoorde made history by becoming the first Aruban to win the Miss Teen Universe title. The prestigious pageant took place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where Steenvoorde stood out among contestants from across Central and South America.
From the outset, Steenvoorde impressed judges and audiences alike with her strong performance, quickly becoming a favorite. She advanced to the Top 10 and ultimately the Top 6, before being crowned Miss Teen Universe 2025.
On Wednesday, she returned to Aruba, where an enthusiastic crowd gathered to celebrate her victory. Supporters greeted her at the airport with congratulations and heartfelt tributes, honoring her as a proud representative of the island. Speaking to local youth, Guizza shared an inspiring message:
“Never doubt yourself. Always keep moving forward. No matter how many battles or difficulties you face, one day you will succeed.”
Looking ahead, Steenvoorde plans to continue her education. She aims to study law at the University of Aruba and later complete a master’s in the Netherlands, focusing on youth law and legal implementation. Her ultimate goal? To become Aruba’s first youth judge.
Her stylist, Roberto Avalo, reflected on the journey, describing the competition as intense, with over 30 countries participating. Winning the crown, he said, was a significant milestone—not only for their team but also for Aruba as a whole.
Avalo noted that preparations began two years ago, when he first met Guizza and recognized her potential in the pageant world. The final week leading up to the event was especially demanding, with 4 a.m. wake-up calls and nonstop activities beginning at 7 a.m. In addition to pageant events, the team created live content that quickly attracted the attention of international pageant bloggers, known as “missiologists.” Normally, these influencers require payment to promote contestants—but Guizza’s natural charisma and online presence caught their attention organically.
Her mother, Michella Steenvoorde-Lacle, shared more about the intense preparation process. In Aruba, Guizza showed extraordinary discipline, often waking up at 3 am and heading to the gym by 4 am. Her routine included physical training, massages, haircare, and skincare—all essential parts of her readiness.
Once the official itinerary arrived from the pageant organizers, every detail had to be carefully planned. Guizza needed four full outfits each day—one for arrival, breakfast, lunch, training, and dinner—complete with matching accessories and shoes. The level of coordination and dedication required was immense, but it made the experience all the more unforgettable.
