Egyptian female cyclists pedal for acceptance TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 36 All the contestants pose on stage during the Miss Universe pageant in Miami. (Inset) Miss Colombia Paulina Vega is crowned Miss Universe 2014.— AP/AFP photos Colombia’s Paulina Vega wins Miss Universe title olombia’s Paulina Vega was Venezuelan Gabriela Isler. She edged the map. Cuban soap opera star William Levy and crowned Miss Universe Sunday, out first runner-up, Nia Sanchez from the “We are persevering people, despite Philippine boxing great Manny Cbeating out contenders from the United States, hugging her as the win all the obstacles, we keep fighting for Pacquiao. The event is actually the 2014 United States, Ukraine, Jamaica and The was announced. what we want to achieve. After years of Miss Universe pageant. The competition Netherlands at the world’s top beauty London-born Vega dedicated her title difficulty, we are leading in several areas was scheduled to take place between pageant in Florida. The 22-year-old mod- to Colombia and to all her supporters. on the world stage,” she said earlier dur- the Golden Globes and the Super Bowl el and business student triumphed over “We are proud, this is a triumph, not only ing the question round. Colombian to try to get a bigger television audi- 87 other women from around the world, personal, but for all those 47 million President Juan Manuel Santos applaud- ence. and is only the second beauty queen Colombians who were dreaming with ed her, praising the brown-haired beau- The contest, owned by billionaire from Colombia to take home the prize. me and were part of this whole process,” ty on Twitter. “Colombia today is an business mogul Donald Trump, is The last time Colombia won the watched by about 600 million world- crown was in 1958 when Luz Marina wide, pageant officials say. Trump said Zuluaga scored the title. Vega, wearing a he has not yet decided where the next long silver sequined gown, was beaming Miss Universe will be hosted, but did not and tearful as she accepted her sash and rule out Colombia as a possible venue. crown from reigning Miss Universe, Controversy emerged ahead of the con- test, when Miss Israel took a selfie with Miss Lebanon. That irritated Lebanon, The five final contestants, from left, Miss Colombia Paulina Vega, Miss which is technically at war with Israel. Jamaica Kaci Fennell, Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha, Miss Netherlands Miss Lebanon, who was careful not to Yasmin Verheijen and Miss USA Nia Sanchez pose during the Miss Universe be seen next to her rival, explained that pageant. while she was posing with Miss Japan Elvira Castillo. Vega won highest possible to restore schools, we have to restore and Miss Slovenia, the Israeli beauty score of 9.9 in every presentation at the kindergartens and orphanages,” queen shoved her way into the photo op Miss Universe Colombia contest, accord- Harkusha said. The 63rd edition of the and posted it on Instagram. The Miss ing to the pageant’s website. Miss Universe pageant was held at Universe contest started out in 1952 as a Pageant gets political Florida International University before a local “bathing beauty” competition Vega beat out Ukraine’s Diana full house of enthusiastic fans. organized by a swimwear company in Miss France Camille Cerf; Miss Lebanon Saly Greige; Miss Lithuania Harkusha, Yasmin Verheijen from the The contest featured the traditional Long Beach, California. Today, the com- Patricija Belousova; and Miss Japan Keiko Tsuji pose on stage. Netherlands and Miss Jamaica Kaci parade of eye-catching swimsuits and petition is more than a beauty pageant Fennell, who were also top five finalists. national costumes and performances and contestants “compete with hope of Miss Puerto Rico Gabriela Berrios she told reporters after the win. She said example for the world, congratulations,” Though Sunday’s program remained from teen idol Nick Jonas and advancing their careers, personal and reacts after receiving the Miss the title was “more important than the he wrote. The five-foot-nine (180 cen- mostly apolitical, Miss Ukraine spoke Dominican-born American singer Prince humanitarian goals and... seek to Photogenic award from host World Cup,” and said beauty queens are timeter) model from Barranquilla is the about ongoing turmoil in her nation. Royce. Ten judges were tasked to select improve the lives of others,” according to Natalie Morales. respected around the world. For Vega, granddaughter of legendary tenor “We have a very difficult situation in our this year’s winner, including Cuban- the Miss Universe website. — AFP the win was a point of national pride Gaston Vega and 1953 Miss Atlantico, country direct all of our energies to sup- American music mogul Emilio Estefan, and she hopes it will put her country on port our army and our people we have Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell Miss Argentina Valentina Ferrer Miss USA Nia Sanchez Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha Miss Venezuela Migbelis Castellanos Miss Australia Tegan Martin.