For the first time ever, the Miss Universe Colombia pageant tried something new. It became a reality TV show. The winner, Vanessa Pulgarín Monsalve, hails from Antioquia. At 33 years old, she’s now the nation’s new beauty queen for 2025.
However, her crowning has stirred up a lot of talk online. Some people are cheering for her long journey in pageants. Others are not happy with the new rules or her age. In fact, many folks are saying this contest changed everything for good.
Canal RCN aired the show. It was based on a format Telemundo sold to the Colombian organizers. Twenty-eight women from different regions joined the competition. Over nine episodes, they faced challenges beyond just walking the runway. They had to show off their communication skills, leadership, language ability, manners, and fitness. Only 16 made it to the finals.
The big final night happened at the Ágora Convention Center in Bogotá. Contestants from Antioquia, Cauca, Magdalena, Risaralda, and Santander were the main stars. In the end, Vanessa Pulgarín took home the “Arte del Alma” crown. She now takes over from Daniela Toloza, who was Miss Universe Colombia 2024.
One harsh critic online said, “We are doomed to always be second best.” This user also questioned Vanessa’s education. Others called her “Miss Plastic” because of her past cosmetic work.
Who is Vanessa Pulgarín
Vanessa was born in Medellín on September 13, 1991. She stands tall at 1.78 meters (about 5 feet 10 inches). Her measurements are 84-67-100, and she has an athletic build. This model has made a name for herself in the entertainment world. She studied Social Communication at the Pontifical Bolivarian University. She has also worked on projects related to mental health, sports, and helping women lead.
It’s worth noting that she’s no stranger to pageants. In 2017, she was Miss Antioquia in the National Beauty Contest. There, she became the National Vicereine and represented Colombia at Miss International in Tokyo. Since then, she’s been busy as an international model and business owner.
Now, with the reality show platform, she has restarted her career in beauty with a clear goal. “I want to learn, discover, travel, and help people,” she said during the contest.
While many people see her as a complete queen, others keep pointing out her age (33). This is because she is older than what traditional national pageants usually prefer. Historically, those contests favored younger contestants.
Also, some people don’t like that the contest became a reality show. They feel it’s more like a TV show than a true beauty competition.
Despite the criticism, some interesting opinions supported her. They defended the judges’ choice. They said the contest looked at more than just looks. It also focused on talent, public speaking, and how the contestants could help society. This raised the bar, making the winner a true influencer.
Because of this, Vanessa Pulgarín’s experience and maturity were seen as good things. These qualities might give Colombia a strong, well-prepared representative for the upcoming Miss Universe 2025. Even if some of her own people don’t see it that way yet.