Palacio competed in the 50th Miss International pageant, held on November 7, 2010 in Chengdu, China where she won the Miss Photogenic award.
She previously won the 2009 Reina Nacional de la Feria de San Marcos contest.
On August 3, 2011 it was announced by the Nuestra Belleza Mexico organization that Palacio would represent her country in the 61st Miss World pageant, held on November 6, 2011 after Cynthia de la Vega was dethroned.Gabriela Palacio participated in the successful Musical "Anjou, a tale of horror" 2009-2010.
This TJMC (Thomas Jefersson Musical Theatre Company) musical has been presented in New York Musical Theatre Festival and China.