Miss Universe Belize, Ashley Lightburn showcases national costume and travels to compete in Miss Universe pageant

On Monday, January 2nd, Miss Universe Belize Ashley Lightburn, 25, departed the country to compete in the 71st edition of the Miss Universe pageant. The international pageantry competition will be on January 14th in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. As Lightburn made her final preparations, on December 30th, she officially introduced the national costume to Belize and the world. According to the Miss Universe Belize organization, the national costume was conceived and designed by Alejandro Castañeda and Emir Xiu from Innovations by Jandroz. The attire is inspired by the world’s first and only Jaguar Reserve, nestled in the luscious rainforest of the Cockscomb Basin in southern Belize. Lightburn, like the jaguar, is stealthy and graceful in her movement. As the jaguar that prowls under the moonlight and protects itself and its young, Lightburn’s light burns for the advocacy that is her passion, Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) with a concentration in Math. The organization added that like the jaguar that is calculating in its movements, Lightburn is the calculating force breaking through the darkness to bring young Belizean women into the light of Women in STEM.
Miss Universe Belize describes the costume depicting the jaguar in its natural habitat glistening under the moonlight. Lightburn is clothed from head to toe in a beaded jaguar print leotard with thigh-high boots accentuated by a tropical flora back piece and a lighted moon, with the jaguar’s head prominently displayed on her body. The detail of the costume compares Lightburn’s onyx eyes with the jaguar’s, penetrating through the darkness to bring light to the young women she mentors.
Before departing for the international pageant, the Belize Tourism Board presented Lightburn with a package consisting of a Belize-branded carry-on, a Belizean flag and merchandise, and a cash contribution to assist her with travel expenses.
The Belizean beauty ambassador was crowned Miss Universe on August 13, 2022, at the Bliss Centre for Performing Arts in Belize City. Lightburn is the 32nd beauty ambassador representing Belize at the international Miss Universe beauty pageant.