Colombia's Paulina Vega was crowned Miss Universe Sunday, beating out contenders from the United States, Ukraine, Jamaica and The Netherlands at the world's top beauty pageant in Florida.
The 22-year-old model and business student triumphed over 87 other women from around the world, and is only the second beauty queen from Colombia to take home the prize.
The last time Colombia won the crown was in 1958 when Luz Marina Zuluaga scored the title.
Vega, wearing a long silver sequined gown, was beaming and tearful as she accepted her sash and crown from reigning Miss Universe, Venezuelan Gabriela Isler.
She edged out first runner-up, Nia Sanchez from the United States, hugging her as the win was announced.
London-born Vega dedicated her title to Colombia and to all her supporters.
"We are proud, this is a triumph, not only personal, but for all those 47 million Colombians who were dreaming with me and were part of this whole process," she told reporters after the win.
She said the title was "more important than the World Cup," and said beauty queens are respected around the world.
For Vega, the win was a point of national pride and she hopes it will put her country on the map.
"We are persevering people, despite all the obstacles, we keep fighting for what we want to achieve. After years of difficulty, we are leading in several areas on the world stage," she said earlier during the question round.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos applauded her, praising the brown-haired beauty on Twitter.
"Colombia today is an example for the world, congratulations," he wrote.
The five-foot-nine (180 centimeter) model from Barranquilla is the granddaughter of legendary tenor Gaston Vega and 1953 Miss Atlantico, Elvira Castillo.
Vega won highest possible score of 9.9 in every presentation at the Miss Universe Colombia contest, according to the pageant's website.
Pageant gets political
Vega beat out Ukraine's Diana Harkusha, Yasmin Verheijen from the Netherlands and Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell, who were also top five finalists.
Though Sunday’s program remained mostly apolitical, Miss Ukraine spoke about ongoing turmoil in her nation.
"We have a very difficult situation in our country direct all of our energies to support our army and our people we have to restore schools, we have to restore kindergartens and orphanages," Harkusha said.
The 63rd edition of the Miss Universe pageant was held at Florida International University before a full house of enthusiastic fans.
The contest featured the traditional parade of eye-catching swimsuits and national costumes and performances from teen idol Nick Jonas and Dominican-born American singer Prince Royce.
Ten judges were tasked to select this year's winner, including Cuban-American music mogul Emilio Estefan, Cuban soap opera star William Levy and Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao.
The event is actually the 2014 Miss Universe pageant. The competition was scheduled to take place between the Golden Globes and the Super Bowl to try to get a bigger television audience.
The contest, owned by billionaire business mogul Donald Trump, is watched by about 600 million worldwide, pageant officials say.
Trump said he has not yet decided where the next Miss Universe will be hosted, but did not rule out Colombia as a possible venue.
Controversy emerged ahead of the contest, when Miss Israel took a selfie with Miss Lebanon. That irritated Lebanon, which is technically at war with Israel.
Miss Lebanon, who was careful not to be seen next to her rival, explained that while she was posing with Miss Japan and Miss Slovenia, the Israeli beauty queen shoved her way into the photo op and posted it on Instagram.
The Miss Universe contest started out in 1952 as a local "bathing beauty" competition organized by a swimwear company in Long Beach, California.
Today, the competition is more than a beauty pageant and contestants "compete with hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals and... seek to improve the lives of others," according to the Miss Universe website.
AFP
Mon Jan 26 2015
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega is crowned Miss Universe 2014 during the 63rd Annual MISS UNIVERSE Pageant at Florida International University on January 25, 2015 in Miami, Florida. AFP PHOTO TIMOTHY A. CLARY
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
Masuk Pas untuk sama-sama susah dengan rakyat - ADUN Rembia
Muhamad Jailani berkata, sebelum ini beliau pernah menghantar surat kepada Lembaga Disiplin UMNO memohon untuk memecat keahliannya daripada parti Melayu itu.
[TERKINI] Astro dipilih sebagai penyiar rasmi Olimpik Paris 2024
Astro dipilih sebagai penyiar rasmi bagi Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 bermula hujung bulan ini.
[TERKINI] Speaker DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi Muhammad Jailani
DUN Melaka masih menunggu surat rasmi daripada Pas berhubung tindakan ADUN Rembia, Datuk Muhamad Jailani Khamis yang menyertai Pas.
Sasar sumbang RM500 bilion kepada kdnk tempoh tiga tahun
Selangor perlu merancakkan semula kapasiti pembuatan untuk tidak hanya memenuhi keperluan tempatan, tetapi menjadikan negeri itu sebagai asas kepada pelan peluasan ke rantau Asia Tenggara dan Asia.
Wanita dihempap kayu balak mula sedarkan diri
Wanita yang nyaris maut akibat dihempap kayu balak dalam kejadian di lampu isyarat di Persimpangan Bendahara, Jalan Gua Musang-Kuala Krai di sini 9 Julai lepas, kini dilaporkan mula sedarkan diri.
Sah suspek anggota polis
Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan mengesahkan suspek bunuh Nur Farah Kartini, ialah anggota polis.
Suspek juga yang dipercayai teman lelaki mangsa dan bertugas di Perak.
Suspek juga yang dipercayai teman lelaki mangsa dan bertugas di Perak.