Miss Colombia 1126636 225680185 2008-07-14T21:36:04Z Chicago god 112915 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/68.41.31.95|68.41.31.95]] to last version by 190.158.163.31 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) [[Image:CNBClogo.JPG|right|400px]] [[Image:TalianaVargas.jpg|right|thumb|'''Señorita Colombia 2008''' '''Taliana Maria Vargas Carrillo''', who competed as Señorita [[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]]]] <!-- [[Image:EileenRocaT.jpg|right|thumb|'''Eileen Roca Torralvo, Señorita Colombia 2007''' who competed as Señorita [[Cesar Department|Cesar]]]] --> [[Miss Colombia]] is officially known as the ''Concurso Nacional de Belleza de [[Colombia]]'', (''National Beauty Contest''.) It is the most significant [[beauty pageant|pageant]] in a country that, like neighboring Venezuela, gives incredible weight to beauty contests. The Miss Colombia pageant elects representatives to [[Miss Universe]] and [[Miss International]]. The Miss Mundo Colombia pageant is a separate and smaller event that sends Colombia's representative to [[Miss World]]. The Miss Earth Colombia pageant is a separate yet sizable country-wide search for Colombia's representative to [[Miss Earth]]. The Miss Colombia pageant is one of the most important cultural events in the country, held annually in the city of [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena de Indias]]. Massive coverage is given by the media to the contest, including by ''Cromos'' magazine which devotes entire issues to the individual contestants favored to win, and four covers of the magazine are devoted to the pageant in a 4-week period. Additionally, every major network sends news crews, and even have special sets built by the beach in Cartagena to report live for at least fifteen minutes every day towards the end of the news broadcast on the goings-on of the contestants. Aspirants must compete in their respective Departments (about twenty of which are represented each year, fluctuating due to the continuing civil unrest in the country) to earn a title for the pageant. == Miss Colombia 2007== ''Main article:'' '''[[Miss Colombia 2007]]'''<br> <br> The 73rd Miss Colombia pageant was held in [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena de Indias]], [[Colombia]], on [[November 12]], [[2007]]. The winner of the pageant was [[Taliana Vargas]], delegate from [[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]]. ==Rules== Colombia has the strictest rules regarding participation of any Miss Universe [[preliminary]]: once a contestant registers for the pageant, she is confined to her own [[State|Department]] and cannot jump states/provinces as happens frequently elsewhere. However, she can participate more than once for the same department; the winner of the pageant in 2003 had already come in fourth place at the Miss Valle pageant the year before she won and eventually went on to win the national crown. Perhaps this rule is the reason for the intense rivalries that have developed between departments (states) to win the most crowns, a couple of them have garnered a significant number, starting with [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] (9), [[Valle]] (8), [[Santander Department|Santander]] (7), [[Antioquia]] (6). ==Prelude to the Pageant== The pageant itself always around [[November 11]], and many of the activities, such as the entire production of the Cromos magazines devoted to the pageant take place in the weeks preceding the pageant. There are a number of preliminary events involving the [[sponsors]], such as the election of the Figura Bodytech (the Bodytech Figure) which confers free gym membership at the Bodytech franchise for five years to the contestant with the most toned, [[harmonious]] and healthy body of the pageant. ===List Of Winners Of Figura Bodytech Prize=== *2002 - Diana Lucia Mantilla (Santander) *2003 - Catherine Daza Manchola (Valle del Cauca) *2004 - Adriana Tarud (Atlantico) *2005 - Valerie Dominguez (Atlantico) *2006 - Laura Montoya (Antioquia) *2007 - [[Maria Cristina Diaz-Granados]] (Bogotá) Interestingly, since the prize was first awarded, the winner of the Bodytech Figure prize has gone on to win Miss Colombia each year except for in 2006 and 2007 when they become Runner Ups. There are also prizes for the contestant with the best hair (Silueta Schwarzkopff brand), the most photogenic candidate ([[Kodak]]), the most punctual (who receives a [[Movado]] watch), most beautiful costume, and even the mothers of the delegates must compete in a [[talent show]] to select the "Queen Mother." ==Interesting Facts== Because of its incredible drawing power in a country facing the effects of [[war]] and [[drug trafficking]], the Miss Colombia pageant remains surrounded by as much [[legend]] and mystery as the neighboring [[Miss Venezuela]] contest. Among the most notable facts seen on the pageant are: * '''Urban city among the pageant''' ** In [[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena de Indias]], venue of the annual development of the Pageant, school children are given two weeks' holiday in when the pageant arrives. * '''Wearing utensilies''' ** The [[Gold]] [[Crown (headgear)|crown]] (18 karats, including a beautiful green emerald on a cross decorated with 7 white cubic [[zirconia]] topped by a small crown, surrounded by lions placed upon waves which is the emblem of Cartagena) is designed for the winner by the prestigious and traditional Cesareo Jewelers. ** In the last years, the outgoing titleholder crowns her [[successor]] in Cartagena de Indias, transferring the gold crown, a precious tortoise-shell scepter, and a gold ring which is carried by Miss Colombia at all times while she is in the country. * '''Duties of the current Miss Colombia titleholder''' ** The winner traditionally confers with the [[President of Colombia]] several times during her reign. ==Regional Rankings== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Department ! Titles ! Years |- |'''[[Atlantico Department|Atlantico]]''' |9 |1949, 1962, 1967, 1971, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2004, 2005 |- |'''[[Valle Department|Valle del Cauca]]''' |8 |1951, 1953, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1976, 2003 |- |'''[[Santander Department|Santander]]''' |7 |1955, 1963, 1973, 1978, 1980, 1987, 1997 ,2002 |- |'''[[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]]''' |6 |1957, 1969, 1979, 1981, 1986, 1996 |- |'''[[Bolivar Department|Bolivar]]''' | rowspan="2"|5 |1934, 1947, 1961, 1983, 1984 |- |'''[[Bogotá]]''' |1975, 1977, 1982, 1991, 1993 |- |'''[[Caldas Department|Caldas]]''' | rowspan="4"|2 |1958, 1970 |- |'''[[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena DT y C]]''' |1991, 2000 |- |'''[[Cesar Department|Cesar]]''' |1994, 2006 |- |'''[[Guajira Department|Guajira]]''' |1985, 1988 |- |'''[[Amazonas Department|Amazonas]]''' | rowspan="9"|1 |1992 |- |'''[[Cauca Department|Cauca]]''' |1966 |- |'''[[Choco Department|Choco]]''' |2001 |- |'''[[Cundinamarca Department| Cundinamarca]]''' |1999 |- |'''[[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]]''' |2007 |- |'''[[Meta Department|Meta]]''' |1995 |- |'''[[Nariño Department|Nariño]]''' |1960 |- |'''[[Norte de Santander Department|Norte de Santander]]''' |1963 |- |'''[[Tolima Department|Tolima]]''' |1965 |- |} ==List of Miss Colombia Titleholders== ===Miss Colombia titleholders 1934 - 1957=== Initially, the pageant's winners held the title for a biennial period; Yolanda Emiliani Roman, Miss Colombia 1934, held her title for the longest reign in the pageant's history. *'''1934''' - Yolanda Emiliani Román (Bolívar) *'''1947''' - Piedad Gómez Román (Bolívar) *'''1949''' - Myriam Sojo Zambrano (Atlántico) *'''1951''' - Leonor Navia Orjuela (Valle del Cauca) *'''1953''' - Luz Marina Cruz Lozada (Valle del Cauca) *'''1955''' - Esperanza Gallón Domínguez (Santander) *'''1957''' - Doris Gil Santamaría (Antioquia) ===Miss Colombia titleholders 1958 - present=== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} *'''1958''' - Luz Marina Zuluaga ('''Miss Universe''') *'''1959''' - Stella Márquez Zawadski (Nariño) *'''1961''' - Sonia Heidman Gómez (Bolívar) *'''1962''' - Martha Ligia Restrepo González (Atlántico) *'''1963''' - Leonor Duplat San Juan (Norte de Santander) *'''1964''' - Martha Cecilia Calero Córdoba (Valle del Cauca) *'''1965''' - Edna Margarita Rudd Lucena (Tolima) *'''1966''' - Elsa Garrido Cajiao (Cauca) *'''1967''' - Luz Elena Restrepo González (Atlántico) *'''1968''' - Margarita María Reyes Zawdsky (Valle del Cauca) *'''1969''' - María Luisa Riasco Velásquez (Antioquia) *'''1970''' - Piedad Mejía Trujillo (Caldas) *'''1971''' - María Luisa Lignarolo Martínez (Atlántico) *'''1972''' - Ana Lucía Agudelo Correa (Valle del Cauca) *'''1973''' - Ella Cecilia Escandón Palacios (Santander) *'''1974''' - Martha Lucía Echeverry Trujillo (Valle del Cauca) *'''1975''' - María Helena Reyes Abisambra (Bogotá) *'''1976''' - Aura María Mojica Salcedo (Valle del Cauca) *'''1977''' - Shirley Sáenz Starnes (Bogotá) *'''1978''' - Ana Milena Parra Turbay (Santander) *'''1979''' - María Patricia Arbeláez (Antioquia) *'''1980''' - Nini Johanna Soto González (Santander) *'''1981''' - María Teresa Gómez Fajardo (Antioquia) *'''1982''' - Julie Pauline Sáenz Starnes (Bogotá) *'''1983''' - Susana Caldas Lemaitre (Bolívar) {{col-2}} *'''1984''' - Sandra Borda Caldas (Bolívar) *'''1985''' - María Mónica Urbina Plugiesse (Guajira) *'''1986''' - Patricia López Ruíz (Antioquia) *'''1987''' - Diana Patricia Arévalo Guerra (Santander) *'''1988''' - María Teresa Eugorrola Hinojosa (Guajira) *'''1989''' - Lizeth Yamile Mahecha Arévalo (Atlántico) *'''1990''' - Maribel Gutiérrez Tinoco (Atlántico) *'''1991''' - Paola Turbay Gómez (Bogotá) *'''1992''' - Paula Andrea Betancur Arroyave (Amazonas) *'''1993''' - Carolina Gómez Correa (Bogotá) *'''1994''' - Tatiana Castro Abuchaibe (Cesar) *'''1995''' - Lina María Gaviria Forero (Meta) *'''1996''' - Claudia Elena Vásquez Ángel (Antioquia) *'''1997''' - Silvia Fernanda Ortiz Guerra (Santander) *'''1998''' - Marianella Maal Paccini (Atlántico) *'''1999''' - Catalina Inés Acosta Albarracín (Cundinamarca) *'''2000''' - Andrea María Noceti Gómez (Cartagena) *'''2001''' - Vanessa Alexandra Mendoza Bustos (Chocó) *'''2002''' - Diana Lucia Mantilla Prada (Santander) *'''2003''' - Catherine Daza Manchola (Valle del Cauca) *'''2004''' - Adriana Cecilia Tarud Durán (Atlántico) *'''2005''' - Valerie Domínguez Tarud (Atlántico) *'''2006''' - Eileen Roca Torralvo (Cesar) *'''2007''' - Taliana Maria Vargas Carrillo (Magdalena) {{col-end}} ==International participation== Despite the country's fascination with pageants and the incredible efforts and funds expended to prepare winners (including appointing them teams of [[fashion designers]] and coaches), it has had a mixed record at international contests. [[Luz Marina Zuluaga]] remains the country's only Miss Universe, winning in 1958; she was awarded a mansion and [[tax exemption]] for life, an honor which is expected to follow any woman who can retake the world title. Colombians have come close on several occasions, always making the top 15, and from 1992 to 1994 Miss Colombia consecutively placed as first runner-up, but the [[Miss Universe]] title has continued to elude the country. In 2004, for example, [[Jeymmy Paola Vargas Gómez]] became the first black woman to win the [[Miss International]] crown. ===Colombian representatives at Miss Universe=== {| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" |- ! Year !! Titleholder !! Department title !! Placement in Miss Universe |- | '''[[1958]]''' | '''[[Luz Marina Zuluaga]]''' | '''[[Caldas Department|Caldas]]''' | '''[[Miss Universe]]''' |- | [[1959]] | Olga Beatriz Pumarejo Korkor | | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1960]] | Stella Márquez Zawadski | [[Nariño Department|Nariño]] | |- | [[1961]] | Patricia Whitman Owen | | |- | [[1962]] | Olga Lucia Botero Orozco | | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1963]] | Maria Cristina Alvarez González | | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1964]] | Alba Virginia Ramírez Plaza | | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1965]] | Maria Victoria Ocampo Gómez | [[Bolivar Department|Bolivar]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1966]] | Edna Margarita Rudd Lucena | [[Tolima Department|Tolima]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1967]] | Elsa Maria Garrido Cajiao | [[Cauca Department|Cauca]] | |- | [[1968]] | Luz Elena Restrepo González | [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] | |- | [[1969]] | Margarita Maria Reyes Zawadsky | [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1970]] | Maria Luisa Riascos Velásquez | [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] | |- | [[1971]] | Piedad Mejía Trujillo | [[Caldas Department|Caldas]] | |- | [[1972]] | Maria Luisa Lignarolo Martínez-Aparicio | [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] | |- | [[1973]] | Ana Lucía Agudelo Correa | [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1974]] | Ella Cecilia Escandón Palacios | [[Santander Department|Santander]] | 3rd runner-up |- | [[1975]] | Marta Lucía Echeverri Trujillo | [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1976]] | Maria Helena Reyes Abisambra | [[Bogotá]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1977]] | Aura Maria Mojica Salcedo | [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]] | 3rd runner-up |- | [[1978]] | Mary Shirley Sáenz Starnes | [[Bogotá]] | 3rd runner-up |- | [[1979]] | Ana Milena Parra Turbay | [[Santander Department|Santander]] | |- | [[1980]] | Maria Patricia Arbeláez Peláez | [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1981]] | Ana Edilma (Eddy) Cano Puerta | | |- | [[1982]] | Nadya Santacruz Quintero | | |- | [[1983]] | Julie Pauline Sáenz Starnes | [[Bogotá]] | |- | [[1984]] | Susana Caldas Lemaitre | [[Bolívar Department|Bolívar]] | 4th runner-up |- | [[1985]] | Sandra Eugenia Borda Caldas | [[Bolívar Department|Bolívar]] | |- | [[1986]] | Maria Mónica Urbina Pugliesse | [[Guajira Department|Guajira]] | 2nd runner-up |- | [[1987]] | Maria Patricia López Ruiz | [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] | |- | [[1988]] | Diana Patricia Arévalo Guerra | [[Santander Department|Santander]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1989]] | Maria Teresa Egurrola Hinojosa | [[Guajira Department|Guajira]] | |- | [[1990]] | Lizeth Yamile Mahecha Arévalo | [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] | 2nd runner-up |- | [[1991]] | Maribel Gutiérrez Tinoco | [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] | |- | [[1992]] | [[Paola Turbay|Paola Turbay Gómez]] | [[Bogotá]] | 1st runner-up |- | [[1993]] | Paula Andrea Betancur Arroyave | [[Amazonas Department|Amazonas]] | 1st runner-up |- | [[1994]] | [[Carolina Gomez Correa|Carolina Gómez Correa]] | [[Bogotá]] | 1st runner-up |- | [[1995]] | Tatiana Castro Abuchaibe | [[Cesar Department|Cesar]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[1996]] | Lina Maria Gaviria Forero | [[Meta Department|Meta]] | |- | [[1997]] | Claudia Elena Vásquez Ángels | [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] | |- | [[1998]] | Silvia Fernanda Ortiz Guerra | [[Santander Department|Santander]] | 4th runner-up |- | [[1999]] | Marianella Maal Pacini | [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] | |- | [[2000]] | Catalina Inés Acosta Albarracín | [[Cundinamarca Department|Cundinamarca]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[2001]] | Andrea Nocetti|Andrea Maria Nocetti Gómez |[[ Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena DT y C]] | |- | [[2002]] | [[Vanessa Alexandra Mendoza Bustos]] | [[Chocó Department|Chocó]] | |- | [[2003]] | Diana Lucia Mantilla Prada | [[Santander Department|Santander]] | |- | [[Miss Colombia 2003|2004]] | Catherine Daza Manchola | [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[Miss Colombia 2004|2005]] | Adriana Cecilia Tarud Durán | [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] | |- | [[Miss Colombia 2005|2006]] | [[Valerie Domínguez Tarud]] | [[Atlántico Department|Atlántico]] | Semi-Finalist |- | [[Miss Colombia 2006|2007]] | [[Eileen Roca Torralvo]] | [[Cesar Department|Cesar]] | |- | [[Miss Colombia 2007|2008]] | [[Taliana Vargas|Taliana María Vargas Carrillo]] | [[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]] | 1st runner-up |- | [[Miss Colombia 2008|2009]] | TBA | TBA | |} ===Colombian representatives at Miss International=== {| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" |- ! Year !! Titleholder !! Department title !! Miss International placing |- |'''[[1960]]''' |'''[[Maria Stella Márquez Zawadzky]]''' |[[Nariño Department|Nariño]] |'''[[Miss International 1960|Miss International]]''' |- |[[1961]] |Wilma Kohlgruber Duque |[[Cundinamarca Department|Cundinamarca]] | |- |[[1962]] |Sonia Heidman Gómez |[[Bolivar Department|Bolivar]] | |- |[[1963]] |Martha Ligia Restrepo González |[[Atlantico Department|Atlantico]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1964]] |Leonor Duplat Sanjuán |[[Norte de Santander Department|Norte de Santander]] | |- |[[1965]] |Regina Salcedo Herrera |[[Atlantico Department|Atlantico]] | |- |[[1967]] |Marta Lucia Guzmán Perdomo |[[Cundinamarca Department|Cundinamarca]] | |- |[[1968]] |Rosario Barraza Villa | |Semi finalist |- |[[1969]] |Laura Fabiola Pimiento Barrera |[[Cesar Department|Cesar]] | |- |[[1971]] |Patricia Escobar Rodríguez | |Semi finalist |- |[[1972]] |Lamia El Kouri Chaia |[[Valle Department|Valle]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1973]] |Tulia Inés Gómez Porras |[[Santander Department|Santander]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1974]] |Beatriz del Carmen Cajiao Velasco | [[Valle Department|Valle]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1975]] |Alina Maria Botero López |[[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1976]] |Alicia Sáenz Madrid |[[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1977]] |Silvia Alicia Pombo Carrillo |[[Bogotá]] | |- |[[1978]] |Olga Lucia Prada Rodríguez |[[Santander Department|Santander]] | |- |[[1979]] |Ivonne Margarita Guerra de la Espriella |[[Sucre Department|Sucre]] | |- |[[1980]] |Ana Maria Uribe Giraldo |[[Bogotá]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1981]] |Victoria Eugenia Cárdenas Gerlein |[[Atlantico Department|Atlantico]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1982]] |Adriana Rumié Gomes-Cásseres |[[Bolivar Department|Bolivar]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1983]] |Marta Liliana Ruiz Orduz |[[Santander Department|Santander]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1984]] |Silvia Maritza Yunda Charry |[[Huila Department|Huila]] | |- |[[1985]] |Maria Pia Duque Rengifo |[[Huila Department|Huila]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1986]] |Maria del Carmen Zapata Valencia |[[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1987]] |Michelle Betancourt Vergara |[[Atlantico Department|Atlantico]] | |- |[[1988]] |Adriana Maria Escobar Mejía |[[Caldas Department|Caldas]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1989]] |Clelia Alexandra Ablanque Moreno |[[Valle Department|Valle]] | |- |[[1990]] |Elsa Victoria Rivera Botero |[[Caldas Department|Caldas]] | |- |[[1991]] |Mónica Maria Escobar Freydell |[[Caldas Department|Caldas]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1992]] |Lina Maria Marin Díaz |[[Risaralda Department|Risaralda]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1993]] |Kathy Sáenz Herrera |[[Bogotá]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1994]] |Alexandra Betancur Marín |[[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1995]] |Iovana Soraya Grisales Castañeda |[[Santander Department|Santander]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1996]] |Claudia Inés de Torcoroma Mendoza Lemus |[[Norte de Santander Department|Norte de Santander]] |2nd runner-up |- |[[1997]] |Ingrid Catherine Náder Haupt |[[Atlantico Department|Atlantico]] |Semi finalist |- |[[1998]] |Adriana Hurtado Novella |[[Valle Department|Valle del Cauca]] |Semi finalist |- |'''[[1999]]''' |'''[[Paulina Margarita Gálvez Pineda]]''' |[[Nariño Department|Nariño]] |'''[[Miss International 1999|Miss International]]''' |- |[[2000]] |Carolina Cruz Osorio |[[Valle Department|Valle del Cauca]] |Semi finalist |- |[[2001]] |Maria Rocio Stevenson Covo |[[Bolivar Department|Bolivar]] |Semi finalist |- |[[2002]] |Consuelo Guzman Parra |[[Valle Department|Valle del Cauca]] | |- |[[2003]] |Isabel Sofia Cabrales Baquero |[[Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena DT y C]] | |- |'''[[Miss Colombia 2003|2004]]''' |'''[[Jeymmy Paola Vargas Gómez]]''' |[[ Cartagena, Colombia|Cartagena DT y C]] |'''[[Miss International 2004|Miss International]]''' |- |[[Miss Colombia 2004|2005]] |Diana Patricia Arbeláez |[[Valle Department|Valle del Cauca]] |Semi finalist |- |[[Miss Colombia 2005|2006]] |Karina Guerra Rodríguez |[[Choco Department|Choco]] |Semi finalist |- |[[Miss Colombia 2006|2007]] |Ana Milena Lamus Rodríguez |[[La Guajira Department|Guajira]] | |- |[[Miss Colombia 2007|2008]] |[[Maria Cristina Diaz-Granados]] |[[Bogotá]] | |- | [[2009]] | TBA | TBA | |} ==Controversies and Criticism== The pageant has had its share of controversies, ranging from involvement of the country's powerful [[druglord|drug lords]] (who opulently sponsored many delegates in the early nineties) to allegations of [[racism]]. ===Beauty versus Poverty=== Colombia has the distinction of being one of a select few countries where [[taxpayer]] money is actually spent on the pageant: some [[state government|departmental governments]] will actually fund their individual contestants, pageants, or even appoint their [[representatives]] to the pageant. The fact that each regional government [[donation|donates]] a very high sum of money to something apparently useless for a country that has more relevant [[poverty]] problems. ===Feminism=== Feminist groups and advocates also criticize the way women are portrayed in the media, and the sole purpose of an event like this would benefit women at all. ===Stand against Plastic Surgery=== Raimundo Angulo owner of the Señorita Colombia/Miss Colombia Universe franchise has encouraged pageant hopefuls to refrain from indulging in too much plastic surgery, in an effort to emphasize the importance of natural beauty to young women. Many [[Colombians]] were still surprised with the controversial selection of [[Miss Colombia 2007]] [[Eileen Roca Torralvo]], who, while allegedly free of any plastic surgery, had not been a media favorite to win the crown. ===David Letterman on Miss Colombia=== In May 2001, [[David Letterman]] joked about the 'special talent' which the then-reigning Miss Colombia Andrea Noceti possessed - that she was able to "swallow 50 balloons full of [[heroin]]" for the (non existent) [[talent show|talent competition]] in the [[Miss Universe 2001]] pageant. The remark not only infuriated the beauty queen, but also the people in Colombia. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1334464.stm Miss Colombia to sue Letterman]</ref> Miss Colombia openly threatened to [[lawsuit|sue]] Letterman but later withdrawn the statement after Letterman formally apologised to her in [[The Late Show with David Letterman]] about the quip made. Letterman had invited the beauty queen to appear on his show as a gesture of [[appeasement]]. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1335320.stm Letterman appeases Miss Colombia]</ref> ===Involvement of Drug Lords=== The involvement of the drug lords became evident when a number of delegates later married their sponsors. *Miss Choco (1996) Zolima Bechara was disqualified as first runner up (who was to attend [[Miss International]]) when she visited a drug lord in jail. *Miss Atlantico Maribel Gutiérrez Tinoco who went on to win the Miss Colombia 1990 crown famously stepped down (after her participation in [[Miss Universe 1991]], where she won the Best National Costume Award) to marry "El Mico" Duran, who was later murdered. ===Racism=== In 2001, [[Vanessa Mendoza]] of Choco won the pageant, becoming the first [[black]] woman to do so and setting off an immense debate over the country's treatment of its black minorities. A living "[[Cinderella]]" who came from abject [[poverty]], she received numerous awards for her [[humanitarian]] work, including a [[postage stamp]] issued in her honor (rarely accorded to living celebrities, among them Gabriel Garcia Marquez) and government assistance for her home province, one of the country's poorest. Despite being the massive favorite of [[Latin America]]n papers to win the [[Miss Universe 2002]] pageant, she did not place. ===Nude Pictorial of Delegates=== A number of candidates have been removed as delegates at the departmental (state) level because they have been featured in advertising for [[underwear]] or in various states of undress. In 2005 the pageant was rocked by a scandal when Miss Bogotá (the representative of the country's capital) who was chosen through a [[reality television]] show, was revealed to have posed with a naked torso (her arms covering her breasts) and exposed [[buttocks]] (in a thong) for a health magazine (Salud). She was disqualified by the president of the Concurso Nacional de Belleza (which is a non-profit but private corporation) and the first runner up was also unable to go because she could not prove the 10-year residency requirement.<ref>[http://www.lacuarta.cl/diario/2005/09/02/02.11.4a.VUE.MISS.html Miss Bogotá: "No me tomé desnudos"]</ref> Stung by their removal from the pageant, a number of media in [[Bogotá]] attempted to create a scandal over pictures of then-Miss Atlantico Valerie Dominguez who was alleged to have posed in her [[underwear]] for a [[supplement]] of her [[hometown]] newspaper. The committee looked at the pictures and confirmed they were indeed swimwear and she remained in the pageant. She went on to win the Figura Bodytech prize and then the Miss Colombia crown (2005-2006). ==External links== *[http://www.srtacolombia.org/ Official site: Concurso Nacional de Belleza - srtacolombia.org] *[http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/Universe_lists_a.htm/ Pageantopolis.com: Lists of Miss Colombia Universe Delegates and Placements] *[http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/Int_lists_a.htm/ Pageantopolis.com: Lists of Miss Colombia International Delegates and Placements] ==References and footnotes== {{Reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Colombia}} [[Category:Beauty pageants]] [[Category:Beauty pageants in Colombia]] {{Miss Colombia}} {{MissUniverseCountries}} [[es:Concurso Nacional de Belleza de Colombia]] [[fr:Concours national de beauté de Colombie]] [[nl:Miss Colombia]]