Miss Universe Colombia 2025 begins her reign amid controversy
Vanessa Pulgarín, a communications student born in Medellín, is the new Miss Universe Colombia and will represent the country at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand on Nov. 21.
For the first time, the Miss Universe Colombia title was chosen through a reality show: Miss Universe Latina: El Reality, broadcast on RCN.
Pulgarín’s victory on Sept. 28 in Bogotá was not without controversy, which often happens at the start of beauty reigns when the public disagrees with the judges’ decision because they were rooting for another candidate.
The controversy centered on Pulgarín’s age, 34, which many pointed out exceeds the usual standards of other beauty pageants in Colombia, according to US Magazine.
“She looks more like a Mrs. than a Miss,” wrote a commenter iunder an Instagram post by the Miss Universe Colombia organization.
“They put in 30 unattractive girls so this 34-year-old woman can win, be serious. A sure bet in Thailand,” said a commenter. Another said Pulgarín could be at a disadvantage “when she’s up against girls of 18–19 who give a good answer... they will make her cry.”
Miss Universe Colombia chosen in a reality show
Miss Universe Colombia’s reality show followed the format of “Miss Universe Latina: El Reality,” which Telemundo broadcast from Miami in July. That’s where Dominican contestant Yamilex Hernández was chosen to represent U.S. Latinos at Miss Universe 2025.
Colombian network RCN bought the format from Telemundo and aired its own version as a nine-episode reality series. Contestants were evaluated on more than just their runway presence — they were judged on communication skills, language ability, etiquette and physical fitness.
The latter is one of Pulgarín’s strong suits. She often shares her passion for fitness and sports on social media, hoping to inspire other women.
“I think the most important thing is to use our platforms to inspire others. For me, that’s through sports and a healthy lifestyle,” Pulgarín said when asked about the difference between “a viral figure” and “a truly influential person on social media,” according to El Tiempo.
She also praised the reality show for the opportunities it gave her to learn and to connect with people along the way.
“This achievement comes from a dream I share with my parents and is strengthened by the love, dedication and commitment of an incredible team that supported me every step of the way. To all of you, thank you for believing in me and being part of this story,” said Pulgarín, who represented the department of Antioquia.
Speaking about her social project, Pulgarín — switching effortlessly to English — said she has traveled throughout Colombia meeting with vulnerable communities.
“I’ve done my part, and every time I did, I felt I received more than I gave,” she wrote on social media.
Age is experience at Miss Universe
In 2023 the Miss Universe pageant changed its rules to broaden the range of contestants, allowing new queens to be mothers and removing strict age limits. Previously contestants had to be between 18-28, but now they only need to be adults.
Age has not stopped queens like Nicole Peiliker, 41 and mother of four, from representing the Caribbean island of Bonaire at Miss Universe.
Peiliker, the oldest contestant in 2025, is one year older than Beatrice Njoya, who became the oldest contestant at Miss Universe in 2024. Njoya, then 40, was Miss Universe Malta.
The story of Brazilian actress and model Cristina Leite is also inspiring: she became the first contestant over 50 in the Miss Universe Brasil competition.
Experience —and age— are very much on Pulgarín's side: in 2017 she became Señorita Antioquia and later was the national runner-up, placing second in the Concurso de Belleza de Colombia in 2017. She then represented the country at Miss International 2017 in Japan.
Some followers of Miss Universe Colombia this year argued that if Pulgarín had already competed in several pageants and didn't win first place in Colombia, there's not much chance she'll be among the favorites at the global contest.
“Vanessa has plenty of attitude, but at Miss Universe, I don’t know, I think she’s already used up her chance to go there,” said an Instagram user.
In April, while preparing to arrive at Miss Universe, she shared both her doubts and the strength that drives her.
“Here I am, showing that limits only exist when you stop believing. I have doubted, I have cried in silence many times, but I never gave up, because I understood that every no was only preparing me for a yes,” she said in a video on her Instagram profile.
