Melissa Queenie Sapini, a 22-year-old Haitian-American model, journalist, and actress, has officially been crowned Miss Universe Haiti 2025, marking a powerful new chapter in the story of Haiti’s global representation.
Born on March 19, 2003, and raised in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Sapini represents the modern face of Haitian pride, one shaped by the energy, resilience, and ambition of the diaspora.
Her journey from small-town Massachusetts to the world stage is as much about self-belief as it is about honoring her roots.
The daughter of a Haitian mother who immigrated to the United States in 2001, Sapini has long embodied the spirit of dual identity, proudly Haitian, yet deeply connected to her American upbringing.
She graduated from Suffolk University in Boston, where she studied broadcast journalism and worked as a TV host and reporter at Studio 73 and local media outlets. Those early experiences honed her poise, communication skills, and on-camera presence, traits that have now propelled her onto the international pageant scene.
A Steady Rise To The Crown
Sapini’s ascent in the world of pageantry has been steady and determined. She made her debut as a semifinalist at Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2020, later finishing as first runner-up in 2022. By 2023, she was a finalist at Miss Massachusetts USA, where her eloquence and stage presence captured attention.
That persistence paid off when she represented Massachusetts at Miss USA 2024, reaching the finals, a rare accomplishment for a first-time state titleholder. Now, her crowning as Miss Universe Haiti 2025 signals not just a personal triumph, but also a moment of celebration for Haitians across the diaspora.
Carrying Haiti’s Story To The World
Fluent in English and grounded in her Haitian heritage, Sapini is committed to using her new platform to challenge stereotypes and amplify Haiti’s beauty, culture, and creativity.
“As Miss Universe Haiti, I carry my ancestors’ legacy with pride,” she wrote in a recent social media post. “This journey is about representation, unity, and the strength of Haitian women everywhere.”
Her words echo a deeper truth, that Haiti’s global story is evolving, led by a generation of artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators determined to reshape perceptions through authenticity and achievement.
Sapini’s upcoming participation in the Miss Universe 2025 competition will place her among the world’s most influential young women, giving her a platform to celebrate Haitian identity on a global scale; one that too often overlooks the country’s brilliance beyond its struggles.
A Symbol of Diaspora Excellence
Melissa Queenie Sapini’s story is not just about a crown; it’s about connection. It’s about a young woman bridging two worlds — the Haiti of her mother’s dreams and the America of her own ambitions — with grace, intellect, and purpose.
At just 22, she has already carved a path that inspires a new generation of Haitian-Americans to embrace their heritage while reaching for global platforms.
