A video shared on Mia Dio's Instagram account has captured the hearts of the Cuban community online. In this clip, her mother patiently and passionately teaches her how to shout "Cuba!" with the fervor required for an event like Miss Universe.
In the reel, Mia attempts several times to deliver the signature introduction that contestants perform at Miss Universe galas: "Mia Dio... Cuba!" However, she struggles to perfect it.
After repeatedly trying and failing in front of the mirror, her Cuban mother steps in to lend a hand. With striking resemblance to the Miss Universe Cuba contestant, she stands before the mirror and, with remarkable flair and Cuban pride, demonstrates how her daughter should project the shout to bolster her candidacy in the international beauty pageant.
The clip quickly garnered thousands of likes, with the phrase "you've let your Cuban side show" summing up the sentiment that flooded the comments section.
This moment carries extra emotional weight given the context surrounding the beauty queen. Mia Angelina Donadio Cancio, her full name, is a Cuban-American influencer born in Miami to a Cuban mother and Argentine father.
She was crowned Miss Universe Cuba 2026 on August 20 in Cutler Bay, Florida, representing Isla de la Juventud after standing out among 19 finalists. A year earlier, she participated in the 2025 edition, where she reached the Top 5 and earned the title of Miss Popularity.
Her coronation was not without controversy. Many questioned how a Miami-born young woman could represent Cuba in an international competition.
Mia Dio addressed the concerns directly. In a bilingual social media post shortly after her crowning, she stated, "Being a product of exile does not make me less Cuban." She also revealed that she had received death threats, emphasizing that while disagreement is valid, threats do not equate to freedom of expression.
On September 7, she reiterated her Cuban identity and connection to exile, responding to those who still challenge her legitimacy as a representative of the Island.
Her dedication to Cuba extends beyond words. In June, before winning the crown, she posted a reel dedicated to the Ladies in White, posing in a white dress, lace veil, and holding gladiolus in front of a Cuban flag.
In this light, watching her mother coach her on shouting "Cuba!" with the inherent accent and vigor becomes more than just a humorous video—it is an image embraced by the Cuban exile community.
Cuban Identity and Representation in Miss Universe
Why was Mia Dio's coronation as Miss Universe Cuba controversial?
Mia Dio's coronation stirred controversy because she was born in Miami, leading some to question her representation of Cuba in an international pageant.
How did Mia Dio respond to the criticism regarding her Cuban identity?
Mia Dio responded by asserting that being a product of exile does not diminish her Cuban identity, and she condemned threats as not being a form of free expression.
What symbolic gesture did Mia Dio make before winning the Miss Universe Cuba title?
Prior to winning the crown, Mia Dio shared a reel dedicated to the Ladies in White, showcasing her in a white dress and lace veil with gladiolus in front of a Cuban flag.