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| MISS Colombia Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2015 |
Colombia beauty Paulina Vega crowned Miss Universe 2015
MISS Colombia Paulina Vega has been crowned Miss Universe, beating contestants from the United States and the Ukraine to take the coveted title.
Miss Vega, a 22-year-old business administration student from Barranquilla, Colombia, said she'd wear the crown with "pride and excitement" as fans in her native Colombia took to the streets to celebrate.
"It felt like home. I felt like I was in Colombia with my people. I felt that support in every moment of the pageant," Miss Vega said.
Miss USA Nia Sanchez and Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha were the runners-up during Sunday's competition. Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell and Miss Netherlands Yasmin Verheijen were also among the top five.
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| MISS Colombia Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2015,Relaxation |
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| MISS Colombia Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2015,her swimming |
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| MISS Colombia Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2015,Her Night Dress |
Miss Great Britain – also known as Grace Levy – missed out on a spot among the top spots.
Miss Vega said the contests leading to Miss Universe were the first she'd participaed in and will be her last, as she's eager to return to her studies.
Billionaire businessman Donald Trump, who owns the pageant, said many had predicted Vega would take the crown since contestants first arrived in Miami for the festivities.
"From the minute she walked in the building, people said, 'She's a star,'" he said.
The 22-year-old is the granddaughter of legendary tenor, Gastón Vega .
She has said: "It will be a dream come true to represent the woman of today. A woman that not only cares about being beautiful and being glamorous, but also cares about being a professional, intelligent, hard-working person."
She has a fourth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has traveled the country teaching others. She spoke previously about equipping women to defend themselves against crime.
"It's just something that's so prevalent in our society, and why not empower women to take control of a dangerous situation into their own hand," she said.
Miss Colombia was crowned by the outgoing Miss Universe, Gabriela Isler of Venezuela. The competition broadcast included performances by singers Nick Jonas and Prince Royce.
Contestants from 88 countries took part in the competition, which saw them participating in events around Miami, including everything from a a golf contest to a Zumba class, over the last fortnight.
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| MISS Colombia Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2015, 63rd |
On Wednesday, the contestants were narrowed down to a final 15 – but audiences had to wait until 1pm GMT this morning to find out the winner.
Miss Great Britain, who donned a beefeater uniform while participating, admitted during the build-up that many Britons were not supportive of beauty pageants.
She said: "They're not very supportive of beauty pageants, and I think it will take a Great Britain win for them to be a lot more supportive."
Crowd favorite Miss Venezuela Migbelis Lynette Castellanos was cut after the top 10.
The Miami suburb of Doral, which played host to the women during their stay, is also known as "Doralzuela" for its many Venezuelan residents.
Three of the last six Miss Universe titles have gone to Venezuela, where beauty pageants are big business.
Cr. Express News
