Ashley Cariño

Ashley Ann Cariño Barreto (born August 3, 1994) is a Puerto Rican model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022. Cariño was the second Afro-Puerto Rican to win the title. She represented Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2022, placing at the Top 5. Previously, Cariño was crowned Miss Florida USA 2021 and placed as the second runner-up at Miss USA 2021.

Early life and education Cariño was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico to parents José Cariño and Olga Barreto, as the eldest of five children, and later moved with her family to Kissimmee, Florida when she was five years old. Cariño attended the Professional and Technical High School in Kissimmee, graduating in 2012, where she received certification to work as a psychosocial rehabilitator, specializing in working with children with cognitive diversity.

Pageantry In 2021, Cariño began her pageantry career after registering as a contestant in Miss Florida USA 2021, her first pageant ever. This was only the third time that Florida had placed in the top three of the competition since Miss USA 1980. Cariño later completed her reign as Miss Florida USA after crowning Taylor Fulford as her successor in May 2022.

Miss Universe Puerto Rico After completing her reign as Miss Florida USA, Cariño moved back to Puerto Rico in order to claim eligibility for the upcoming Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022.

The final was later held on August 11 in Santurce, San Juan. Cariño advanced from the initial pool of 28 finalists into the top fifteen, top ten, and top five, before ultimately being crowned the winner of the competition. With her win, she became the second Afro-Puerto Rican to be crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico, following her predecessor Michelle Colón. As Miss Universe Puerto Rico, Cariño represented Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2022, and placed among the Top 5.