Daniela Michelle Reyes Miss Asia Pacific Cuba 2026
- Derek Tokarzewski
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine pageant interview with an incredible Daniela Michelle Reyes Miss Asia Pacific Cuba 2026
Full Name: Daniela Michelle Reyes
Title/Year: Miss Asia Pacific Cuba 2026
Pageant System: Miss Asia Pacific International
Age: 28
Education Level: Registered Behavior Technician and currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Psychology.
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Hobbies: Singing, practicing guitar, drawing both traditional and digital, and learning new languages for fun which currently are Portuguese and Russian.
Platform: Expanding access to behavioral support for children with autism, ADHD and developmental delays.
Years Competed: New to the crown in 2026.
Countries Visited: Mexico, Barbados, Austria, Germany and Canada.
Likes: Music, Arts, volunteering and working with children, Cuban cuisine and poke bowls, the color blue, yoga and fitness, Studio Ghibli films, fashion, and travel to explore new cultures.
Dislikes: Negativity, because it spoils a peaceful atmosphere; injustice, because everyone deserves a fair chance regardless of where they start; and rudeness, because a little kindness and good manners go a long way.
Current Status: Single
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Can you share a bit about who you are? Like, what are your passions outside of the pageant world?
I am Daniela Michelle Reyes, and I have the honor of representing Cuba at Miss Asia Pacific International 2026. I was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, and I've loved the arts for as long as I can remember. Outside of pageant life, you'll usually find me singing, teaching myself guitar, drawing or picking up the basics of a new language just for fun; I'm working on Portuguese and Russian at the moment. My other passion; although not glamorous but means the most to me: I work as a Registered Behavior Technician, supporting children with autism and developmental delays.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: I'm curious about your education journey. What's it been like for you, any particular highlights or challenges?
My education has felt like coming back to something I'd paused. I earned my high school diploma, then studied to pass the board exam for my Registered Behavior Technician license, and I'm now working toward my Bachelor's degree in Organizational Psychology through an online university. Studying while working isn't always easy, but understanding how people think and behave has helped me be better at my job.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Women's empowerment is such a key topic. What does it mean to you personally?
To me, empowerment means a woman never has to choose just one dream. For years I felt like I had to pick between modeling and my calling to help children with autism, until I realized I could do both. Empowerment is showing other women, especially Cuban women, that beauty and purpose aren't opposites, they can go hand in hand.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did you get into pageants? What sparked your interest initially?
Pageants found me through modeling. I started modeling in my early twenties because I loved fashion, beauty, and performing, and the pageant world felt like a natural extension of that same stage presence, just with a bigger purpose behind it. Life took me down a different road for a while, into full-time work with children with autism, but that pull toward the stage never fully left me.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What motivated you to participate in your first pageant? Was there a defining moment?
My motivation came from two of my best friends, sisters Jennifer and Rachel Chang, who stepped into the pageant world themselves last year. Watching them take that leap and grow through the experience inspired me, and it was their encouragement, paired with their firsthand advice, that finally gave me the push to sign up. Having two people I trust so deeply in my corner made stepping into this new world feel exciting rather than intimidating, and I'm grateful their guidance continues to shape my experience.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Why did you choose to compete for your current title? What made it stand out for you?
I chose to compete for Miss Asia Pacific International because it's more than a crown, it's a chance to represent my country on a global stage after years when Cuban women haven't always had that kind of visibility. Getting to fly to the Philippines and stand there as Cuba while on a stage this respected, felt like exactly the platform I'd been waiting for.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: I’d love to know more about your pageant system. Could you explain what it’s all about?
I’m proud to be represented by Nuestra Belleza Nacional Cuba, the system that selected me to represent Cuba at Miss Asia Pacific International in the Philippines. Founded in 2021 by Fátima Watson-Coello, its mission is to showcase Cuban talent and select the women who go on to represent our country in international pageants.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What do you think sets your pageant director apart from others?
My pageant director, Fatima Watson-Coello, has been more than just a director to me. Her warmth, integrity, and knowledge have helped me believe in myself even through brand new experiences in the pageant world, thanks to her encouraging words and meaningful advice. Most of all, what sets her apart is the dedication and work she puts into every one of her queens, not just me.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: During competitions, what are the key things you’re judged on?
Like most international pageants, categories usually include a personal interview, evening gown, and national costume, along with the overall impression you make from the moment you arrive. In my opinion; confidence, authenticity, and how well you carry your country’s story end up mattering just as much as how you look in a gown.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What’s your competition experience been like? Any memorable moments or learnings?
This is the biggest stage I’ve stepped onto, and since it’s my first time competing, even preparation has already taught me plenty: presence matters more than perfection, and judges and readers alike connect with authenticity, not just execution. I’ve been getting ready by working on my walk, posture, and stage presence, along with eating well and staying active. Mentally and physically, this is a brand-new challenge for me, one I’m learning from as I go, always remembering that the best diamonds grow from pressure.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Would you recommend your pageant system to others? If so, why?
Absolutely, I’d recommend Nuestra Belleza Nacional Cuba to any Cuban woman who wants her voice heard beyond our island. It opened a door to Miss Asia Pacific International that I don’t think I would have found on my own, and it’s given me a real platform to represent Cuba with pride.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell me about your advocacy or volunteer work. What causes are you passionate about?
My advocacy is essentially my job. Since 2019 I’ve worked as a Registered Behavior Technician, helping children with autism, ADHD and developmental delays build skills for everyday life. My ambition is to help even more children access behavioral support through therapy centers and schools, therefore I hope my title gives that mission a louder voice.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: With your title, what kinds of appearances or activities have you been involved in?
My biggest moment with this title is still ahead of me: representing Cuba at Miss Asia Pacific International in the Philippines. Closer to home, I took part in Key Biscayne’s 67th annual 4th of July parade alongside other queens, and this September I’m preparing to walk New York Fashion Week for the WOW Wear Collection. I also have a few community projects coming up with other queens, including beach cleanups in early August, because taking care of our planet matters for future generations too.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Can you share some of your achievements, both in and outside of pageantry?
Outside pageantry, I’m proudest of the years I’ve spent as a Registered Behavior Technician helping children with autism grow and thrive while bringing hope and joy to their families, and now pursuing my Bachelor’s in Organizational Psychology while working. Inside pageantry and modeling, earning the title of Miss Asia Pacific Cuba, and being chosen to walk New York Fashion Week for the WOW Wear Collection are the ones I’m proudest of right now.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: In such a competitive field, what do you think makes you stand out?
I’m not only a titleholder; I spend my weekdays helping children with autism find their voice, while also making time to study online. In my evenings, I continue learning through my hobbies or enjoying my other passion which is music and singing, and I believe that passion connects deeply to my purpose of helping others find their own voice and be heard. I bring my whole self to the stage: my Cuban roots, my compassionate spirit paired with my behavioral knowledge, and my artist’s heart. That combination of compassion, purpose, knowledge, and artistry isn’t something you see every day in this field.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: I can only imagine how it feels to win. What was going through your mind when your name was announced as the winner?
I was crowned live on television on July 2nd, 2026, and even though it was completely new to me, what I remember most is the rush of pride and excitement, knowing I would be the first Cuban contestant to ever represent my country on this stage. It’s a moment I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What does being a Beauty Queen mean to you?
Being a Beauty Queen means being living proof that a woman can hold two dreams at once, the girl who wanted to model and the woman who found her purpose helping children with autism. It means using a crown as a microphone, not a mirror, to tell other women, especially Cuban women, that they can chase beauty and purpose together.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How have pageants impacted your life?
Pageants brought me back to a dream I’d quietly paused. I’d stepped away from modeling to focus on my work with children with autism, and getting the chance to compete again reminded me I don’t have to choose between the two. It’s given me new confidence, new connections, and a bigger stage for causes I already cared about.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How have pageants influenced your self-esteem and body image?
Honestly, I don’t think pageant preparation is what’s shaped my confidence or how I see my body, I think my life has. My job can be demanding, and it’s pushed me to find ways to take care of myself the same way I take care of others every day. Along the way, I’ve learned to see myself with the same loving eyes I use when I look at the people I care for.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: You’re an inspiration to many. How does that feel, and what message do you want to share with others?
It’s humbling, especially because I spent years not seeing many Cuban women represented on stages like this one. My message is simple: don’t limit yourself by placing your dreams in separate boxes. You can be a woman who helps shape children’s futures, who expresses herself through music and art, and who proudly wears a sash and crown. You do not have to choose between the different passions and purposes that make you who you are. Embrace every part of yourself, because each one can contribute to the person you are meant to become.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What’s your strategy for captivating the judges on stage?
My strategy is to stop performing and start connecting. I envision myself speaking to the judges the way I’d speak to a parent of one of my loved ones; with warmth, eye contact, and genuine care rather than a script. People remember how you made them feel far more than what you actually said.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How do you prepare for competitions? Any specific routines or practices?
Because I work in behavior analysis, I actually treat my own prep like a behavior plan: small, consistent habits rather than cramming everything in at once, posture practice, vocal warmups, mock interview questions. Staying active and getting good sleep matter to me just as much as rehearsing my walk.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Got any tips for nailing the perfect pageant walk?
Slow down more than feels natural, your nerves will always want to rush you but you can’t rush grace. Keep your shoulders back, find one friendly face in the crowd, and let your walk tell a story instead of just crossing the stage.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Choosing the right pageant dress can be crucial. What are your tips for making the best choice?
Choose the dress that makes you stand a little taller, not the one that’s trending. I look for something that flatters my frame and features, as well as something that lets me move confidently, because a stunning dress you can’t breathe or walk in works against you the second you hit the stage.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Interview rounds can be tricky. What are your strategies for a winning interview?
I think the best approach to an interview is to be genuine and prepared. I try to answer thoughtfully, be specific rather than generic, and allow my personality to come through naturally. I also believe it’s perfectly fine to take a moment to think before answering, because the most meaningful responses are often the ones that come from a place of honesty and reflection.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Looking back, is there a moment in a competition you wish you could redo?
Since Miss Asia Pacific International is my very first pageant, there isn’t a past moment to look back on and wish I could redo. What excites me instead is everything still ahead, I’m looking forward to learning from every experience to come and growing a little more with each one.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What common mistakes do you see others making in contests?
The biggest one I see is contestants trying to sound like what they think a queen should sound like, instead of just sounding like themselves. Judges and readers can tell the difference between a rehearsed answer and an honest one every time.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Do you have any experience in modeling or acting?
Yes, modeling is actually where my journey started. I recently walked in Orlando Fashion Week for designer Henry Meza on June 6. I’m also preparing to walk New York Fashion Week on September 8th as a featured model for the WOW Wear Collection. Modeling continues to be an important part of my journey, and I’m excited to keep growing through new opportunities. I don’t have acting experience yet, but I’d love to explore it one day.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your plans or goals for the upcoming year as a Queen?
This year is about representing Cuba proudly at Miss Asia Pacific International in the Philippines, continuing to walk in fashion events like New York Fashion Week, and continuing my studies for my degree in Organizational Psychology. Alongside all of it, I want to keep showing up for the children I work with every day, because that part of my life doesn’t pause for a crown.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Finally, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope people remember me as proof that a woman doesn’t have to choose between being soft and being strong, between chasing beauty and chasing purpose. If even one Cuban girl watching believes she can help others in need, sing, learn new skills, and wear a crown all in the same lifetime, I’ll consider that legacy complete.
International Director: Onin Mas
National Director: Nuestra Belleza Nacional Cuba
Pageant Website: asiapacificintl.com
Photographer and Credit Details: Photos by Barón DaParre
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview.
Daniela Michelle Reyes Miss Asia Pacific Cuba 2026, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photos by Barón DaParre
CROWN MEDIA - Podcast for all your pageant needs.
Introducing CROWN: A Premier Media Podcast Platform Focused on Comprehensive Pageant Development
Chicago, Illinois - August 26, 2024 - Derek Tokarzewski, the visionary behind World Class Brand Publishing, proudly announces the launch of CROWN, a prestigious media podcast platform dedicated to empowering, educating, and inspiring pageant contestants and queens worldwide.
CROWNS is more than just a podcast platform; it is a comprehensive resource designed to guide and support individuals on their pageant journey, offering valuable insights and practical advice across various critical aspects of pageantry. The platform’s mission is to provide contestants with the tools they need to excel, not only within the pageant world but also in their personal and professional lives.
Current Offerings on CROWNS
- Crown and Confidence Podcast: Focused on building confidence in pageant contestants, this podcast provides essential tips and strategies to help contestants project poise and self-assurance on stage and beyond.
- Crown and Interview Podcast: Dedicated to improving the interview skills of pageant contestants, this podcast offers expert advice on how to navigate pageant interviews with grace, intelligence, and authenticity.
- Crown and Platform Podcast: Guiding pageant contestants on how to create and develop their own unique platforms, this podcast emphasizes the importance of advocacy and social impact within the pageant community.
- Crown and Leadership Podcast: This podcast is dedicated to helping Queens understand and embrace their leadership roles within their respective pageant systems and in broader societal contexts, offering insights on how to lead with integrity and influence.
- Crown and Sisterhood Podcast: Focused on self-improvement through cooperation and camaraderie, this podcast celebrates the spirit of sisterhood in pageantry, encouraging contestants to support one another and grow together.
About Derek Tokarzewski
Derek Tokarzewski is the owner of World Class Brand Publishing, a leader in entertainment media with over 70 print magazines spanning Pageantry, Fashion, Modeling, Film, and Music. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of **World Class Beauty Queens Magazine**, which boasts 138 print issues and over 2,500 interviews with beauty queens from around the world. With the launch of CROWNS, Derek continues his mission to empower individuals through media, providing them with the resources they need to succeed.
Contact Information:
Derek Tokarzewski
[www.worldclassbrandpublishing.com](http://www.worldclassbrandpublishing.com)
[WorldClassBrandPublishing@gmail.com](mailto:WorldClassBrandPublishing@gmail.com)
For media inquiries or more information about CROWNS, please contact Derek Tokarzewski at the provided contact details.
Aurora Royale - Singer, song writer, World Class Ambassador. Visit her page and listen to her inspirational and motivational pageant music. Link to her page.
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski
Owner/Editor in Chief
Mr WorldClass 2023
Mr United Nations 2018
Platform: Women Empowerment
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