Update your settings

DLNews Entertainment

Crowning Glory: Estefania Rodriguez Shines as Miss U.S. Latina 2025

Desert Hot Springs has a new reason to beam with pride—Estefania Rodriguez has just been crowned Miss U.S. Latina 2025. The 24-year-old beauty, scholar, and role model clinched the national title Wednesday night in Miami, rising above a competitive field of contestants from across the country.

Rodriguez’s journey to the crown has been anything but overnight. A graduate of UC Riverside with a degree in political science and currently pursuing studies in modern journalism, she’s as passionate about community service and public speaking as she is about pageantry.

“When they called my name, I went completely blank,” she said with a laugh. “It didn’t register until they said ‘California’—and then it just hit me like a wave.”

The Miss U.S. Latina pageant unfolded over three intense days, filled with interviews, cultural costume showcases, evening gown elegance, and swimsuit presentations. But for Rodriguez, the most memorable part was the camaraderie behind the curtain. “There was a real sense of sisterhood,” she shared. “We were all supporting each other.”

Born and raised in Desert Hot Springs, Rodriguez carries her hometown close to her heart. “My parents are so proud,” she said. “As Mexican-Americans, this is meaningful for them. I’m not just representing myself—I’m representing our culture, our roots, and our city.”

Rodriguez will now set her sights on the global stage, preparing to represent the United States at the Miss Latina Internacional competition in the Dominican Republic this October. Her focus will shift to honing her public speaking, refining her stage presence, and continuing to give back to her community.

“This is a dream I’ve worked for, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone in the Coachella Valley who believed in me,” she said. “I hope this shows young girls—especially in Desert Hot Springs—that anything is possible.”

From a quiet desert town to the international spotlight, Estefania Rodriguez is carrying her crown with purpose, pride, and poise.