Miss Universe Colombia, Paulina Vega Crowned Miss Universe 2014 During The 63rd Annual Miss Universe® Pageant

DORAL, Fla., Jan. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In front of a worldwide audience of approximately 1 billion viewers, Miss Universe Colombia, Paulina Vega was crowned Miss Universe 2014 at the FIU Arena. Leading up to the pageant, the contestants were hosted in Doral, Florida. The 63^rd Annual MISS UNIVERSE^® Pageant was broadcast on NBC with a Spanish simulcast on Telemundo. 

Miss Universe Colombia, Paulina Vega is the 2^nd young woman to take home the Miss Universe crown from Colombia. Born in the town of Barranquilla, located in northern Colombia, the 22 year-old is a student at the Universidad Javeriana in Bogota and is majoring in business administration. She graduated from a German school in Colombia, and speaks English and a bit of French. Paulina has been a model since she was 8 years old and belongs to a big family with four sisters and three brothers.

Natalie Morales and Thomas Roberts joined forces to host this year's show for the first time as co-hosts. Morales is the news anchor of NBC's "TODAY" show, and co-anchor of the show's third hour and Roberts hosts MSNBC's "Way Too Early" and is a contributor to "Morning Joe." Veteran MISS UNIVERSE commentator, Jeannie Mai, took viewers behind-the-scenes to engage with contestants, talent and fans throughout the telecast. 

The evening's musical performers included: multi-talented, platinum-selling solo artist, Nick Jonas who sang a three-song medley during the evening gown competition from his self-titled album that includes the first smash single and radio hit, "Jealous," in addition to "Chains" and "Teacher;" American musician singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw performed his hit songs "Fire" and "Finest Hour" from his new album "Best of Gavin DeGraw," during the pageant's Final Look; and during the Swimsuit Competition, twenty-time Latin Billboard Award winner, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Prince Royce performed his new English-language single entitled "Stuck on a Feeling" as well as Spanish-language hit song "Darte un Beso."  

The judges who sealed the fate of this year's winner included: Kristin Cavallari, TV host and shoe designer for Kristin Cavallari by Chinese Laundry; Rob Dyrdek, Dynamic serial entrepreneur and star of MTV's Ridiculousness and Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory; Emilio Estefan, 19-time Grammy Award winning musician and producer; Nina Garcia, Creative Director of Marie Claire Magazine, Lifetime's hit show "Project Runway" judge, and fashion industry expert; DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins wide receiver and return specialist; three-time Pro Bowler; William Levy, TV and film actor who was previously named People En Espanol's Sexiest Man Alive; Manny Pacquiao, Fighter of the Decade, eight-division world champion and Filipino Congressman; Louise Roe, Fashion journalist, author, host of "Plain Jane" on MTV International and the upcoming TLC fashion series, "Style By Jury;" Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins celebrated right fielder, two-time major league baseball All-star and recipient of the biggest contract in sports history; and Lisa Vanderpump, Star of hit show "Vanderpump Rules" and "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

Throughout the MISS UNIVERSE Competition, contestants representing 88 countries competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The telecast concluded with Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler from Venezuela crowning her successor.

Miss Photogenic Universe™ Award: Miss Universe Puerto Rico, Gabriela Berrios. An expert panel chose the delegate they thought best exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize plus the opportunity for a year-long contract with Farouk Systems, the makers of CHI Haircare.

Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss Universe Nigeria, Queen Osme Celestine. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize.

The Miss Universe 2014 prize package includes: a year-long salary as Miss Universe; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a one-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy; a year's supply of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems, the makers of CHI Haircare; a new custom diamond tiara designed by DIC; a shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry Shoes; eveningwear by Sherri Hill; swimwear by Yamamay; denim by Carrera Jeans; skincare products from IMAGE Skincare;  a year's worth of sunless tanning products and services from Bold Sunless Tanning; two Business Class Round-Trip tickets to travel from USA to Asia provided by Delta; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon; modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha;  representation by Rubenstein Public Relations; dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various New York City events including movie premiers and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; year-long consultation with a fashion stylist; and access to a personal appearance wardrobe.

ABOUT MISS UNIVERSE          
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a Donald J. Trump and NBCUniversal joint venture, which uses its global grassroots reach to empower women to be self-confident and strive to be their personal best.  MUO believes that every woman should be "Confidently Beautiful." The MISS UNIVERSE^®, MISS USA^®, and MISS TEEN USA^® beauty pageants provide an international platform through dedicated partnerships with charities, sponsors, and brands around the world. During their reign, our winners are given the tools to personally and professionally enrich others by providing humanitarian efforts to affect positive change, all while developing their personal career goals. For more information, and to learn more about Miss Universe's official cause to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS education and prevention around the world, please visit: www.missuniverse.com.  

For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/MissUniverse; Twitter and Instagram: @MissUniverse #MissUniverse; YouTube: www.youtube.com/missuniverse

SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization

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