The short version
- El Nuevo Día reports that Mayra Matos will explore the emotional pressures, self-esteem issues and social expectations faced by beauty pageant contestants in her new podcast
- According to El Nuevo Día the first series dedicated to the psychology behind Miss Universe and pageants runs from Nov. 6 to Nov. 27 2026 with episodes airing Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m.
- Primera Hora reported that Matos reflected on her turbulent 2009 reign amid a national pageant leadership dispute and said she wished she had allowed herself to process emotions instead of toxic positivity
- El Nuevo Día states the podcast will feature guests including Karla I. Guilfú Acevedo Isis Casalduc Carmen Batíz Dr. Wanda Piñeiro and Dr. Yamil Malavé Medina among others
New project combines personal experience and psychology studies
Mayra Matos, Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2009, is launching a new podcast that examines the human stories behind beauty pageants. El Nuevo Día reported that the show, titled 'El Podcast de Mayra Matos', premieres on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at 7 p.m. The former titleholder, who works as a speaker, creative coach and psychology student, aims to discuss self-esteem, social pressure, mental health during competitions and the emotional processes of both victories and defeats.
The initial series, running until Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, will address the psychology behind Miss Universe and pageants, El Nuevo Día reported. Matos will host conversations with former queens, psychologists, wellness specialists and industry figures. Among the confirmed guests are Karla I. Guilfú Acevedo (Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 and psychological counseling graduate), Isis Casalduc (former Miss Puerto Rico Universe and cyberpsychology graduate), Carmen Batíz (Miss Puerto Rico 1983 and businesswoman), clinical psychologist Dr. Wanda Piñeiro, clinical psychologist Dr. Yamil Malavé Medina, personal trainer Edwin Benítez Cruz, nurse Jamie Li Díaz Molina, clinical social worker Edgar J. Gómez del Valle, makeup artist David Rodríguez and psychologist Lic. Karina Matos Pérez.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
No somos seres imperfectos, somos seres perfectibles
Our translation: We are not imperfect beings, we are perfectible beings
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Nuevo Día. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Matos reflects on challenges of her 2009 reign
In a separate interview, Primera Hora reported that Matos looked back on her year as Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2009, which was marked by a major dispute involving the departure of national director Magali Febles and the arrival of new leadership under Desireé Lowry and Luisito Vigoreaux. The caborrojeña, now 17 years removed from the experience, said she feels at peace to discuss the media storm and legal proceedings that surrounded her reign.
Matos told Primera Hora she wishes she had possessed greater emotional knowledge at age 20. "Me hubiera gustado tener un poquito más de conocimiento de las emociones," she said. She added that she would have allowed herself to cry more instead of repeating messages of toxic positivity while managing public opinion, personal experiences and competition demands. Matos also recalled independently handling her own promotion for the Miss Universe contest in the Bahamas after a month of uncertainty.
Where the sources differ
El Nuevo Día and Primera Hora both cover Mayra Matos and her pageant background but focus on different aspects. El Nuevo Día centers on the launch of her new podcast, its themes of mental health and personal growth, the schedule through Nov. 27 2026, and the full list of guests. Primera Hora focuses on Matos' personal reflections about the difficulties of her 2009 reign, the national pageant leadership conflict, her independent preparation for Miss Universe, positive memories such as a call from Ricky Martin, and her supportive relationships with other contestants. The two reports do not conflict on any facts but address separate elements of her current and past activities.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify on which platforms the first episodes will be simultaneously released beyond naming Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts as destinations. They also do not detail the exact format or length of each episode, whether the podcast will be video or audio only, or how Matos selected the specific order of guests for the initial series. Future thematic seasons after Nov. 27 are mentioned only in general terms without named topics or dates.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Mayra Matos estrena nueva proyecto
- Reporting Mayra Matos se sincera sobre su turbulento año como Miss Universe Puerto Rico
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día provided the primary account of the podcast launch, its premise, schedule and guest list. Primera Hora contributed Matos' personal reflections on her 2009 experience as Miss Puerto Rico Universe. All information in the article rests on these two reports.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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