Nadia Mejia
Nadia Mejía | |
|---|---|
 Mejía as Miss California USA 2016 | |
| Born | Nadia Grace Eicher Mejía November 22, 1995 Diamond Bar, California, U.S. |
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| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Spouse | Sam Webb (m. 2023) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title |
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| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Green |
| Major competition(s) |
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Nadia Grace Eicher Mejía-Webb (born November 22, 1995) is an American-Ecuadorian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Ecuador 2025. She will represent Ecuador at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant.
She previously won Miss California USA 2016 and placed in the Top 5 at Miss USA 2016. She also competed at Miss Universe Ecuador 2024, where she was first runner-up.[1][2]
Early life and education
Nadia Grace Eicher Mejía was born on November 22, 1995 in Diamond Bar, California, United States. She is the daughter of Ecuadorian-born American musician Gerardo, best known for the 1991 hit "Rico Suave", and Kathy Eicher, Miss West Virginia USA 1989. The family appeared on the reality television series Suave Says.[3][4][5] She graduated from Diamond Bar High School in 2013.[6]
Pageantry
Early career
Mejía began her pageant career as Miss Beverly Hills Teen USA 2013. She competed twice for Miss California Teen USA, placing fourth runner-up in 2013 and reaching the Top 20 in 2014. She later held the title of Miss Malibu USA 2015 and made the Top 20 at Miss California USA 2015.[7]
Miss California USA 2016 and Miss USA 2016
Representing Corona del Mar, Mejía was crowned Miss California USA 2016 on December 6, 2015. At Miss USA 2016, she was voted Fan Favorite and placed in the Top 5.
Miss Universe Ecuador 2024
In January 2024, Mejía joined the virtual casting for the inaugural Miss Universe Ecuador pageant.[8] She was selected among 25 candidates and later designated as the representative of the Ecuadorian community in the United States.[9] She placed first runner-up.
Miss Universe Ecuador 2025
On July 26, 2025, Mejía represented again the Ecuadorian community in the United States at Miss Universe Ecuador 2025, held at the Palacio de Cristal in Guayaquil. She won the title and will represent Ecuador at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand.[10]
Advocacy
During the Miss USA 2016 competition, Mejía discussed her experience with anorexia nervosa, which she has addressed publicly in interviews.[11] Her advocacy initiative, titled I Am Enough, focuses on promoting self-acceptance and encouraging young people to embrace their individuality.[12]
Personal life
In April 2023, Mejía married Australian Survivor contestant Sam Webb in a beachfront ceremony in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.[13]
References
- ^ "Nadia Mejia Celebrity Profile". hollywoodlife.com. 2016-06-03. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ^ Gore, Leada (5 June 2016). "'Rico Suave's' daughter: Miss California is Nadia Mejía, daughter of '90s pop star Gerardo". AL.com.
- ^ Alfonso, Mirna (9 December 2015). "Diamond Bar H.S. Grad Crowned Miss California USA". Diamond Bar Patch. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- ^ Bueno, Kathy (9 December 2015). "Find Out Which Former Reality Star Just Won Miss California". Entertainment Tonight.
- ^ Preston, Tim (8 December 2015). "New Miss California plans holiday visit". The Daily Independent.
- ^ Robbins, Paul; Crouch, Bethany (17 May 2016). "2016 Miss USA Competition: Interview with Miss California". Fox 40.
- ^ "Miss Calif. USA, Miss Calif. Teen USA Discuss Pageant". CBS Los Angeles.
- ^ "Nadia contestant for Miss Universe Ecuador 2024". metroecuador.
- ^ "Nadia was named Miss USA Community 2024". EU.
- ^ "JUST IN Nadia Mejía was crowned as Miss Universe Ecuador 2025: She will represent Ecuador in Thailand for the 74th Miss Universe competition". Pageantry Moments (Facebook). 2025-07-26. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ^ "We're so grateful Miss California Nadia Mejia is open about her body image struggles". Yahoo Style. 7 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- ^ "The new Miss Universe Ecuador 2025 is the spectacular @nadia_mejia". Instagram. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
- ^ "¿Quien es Nadia Mejía, la Miss Universo Ecuador 2025". El Universo. July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.