Jennifer Colón, representative of the city of Orocovis, was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico (MUPR) 2024 and will receive the sixth global crown for the island at the 73rd edition of the international pageant in Mexico in November.
“I want to make history,” said the 36-year-old Rani, a mother of three and a medical esthetician and iridologist, in her final response.
The beauty, who was the first finalist in MUPR 2009, defeated 27 candidates who wanted the title of Carla Guilfu Acevedo, who finished in the top 5 at the Miss Universe held in El Salvador, where Shaynice Palacios won the first title. to Nicaragua and Central America.
The Nicaraguan was part of the finale held at the Centro de Bellas Artes (CBA) in Sanders, hosted by Jose Santana and Diane Ferrer for the Waba and Waba America screen.
Under the motto Esencia, the evening began with the presentation of the Barillaras del 8 AM and the contestants for the title, who then performed a set to the beat of the drums.
“Essence: pure, most honest, irreversible, unrepeatable, essential… We are strong, we are soft… We are completely imperfect. All different, all abilities… beauty stereotypes resist and are constantly evolving,” Palacios highlighted. .
Later, Palacios welcomed fellow singer Luis Enrique to the stage.
“I'm so grateful to be with you tonight… It's always a pleasure to come to Puerto Rico and sing to you. “It's coming home,” highlighted the singer-songwriter, who then joined Miss Universe 2023 with the song Yo No Say Tomorrow.
The panel of 15 finalists included Do Baja, Aracelis Moreno Santana; Dorado, Lexiomi Mercado Fuentes; Salinas, Carolina Mia Gomez Gumba; Guaynabo, Jerusha Mirén Claudio Ford; Camuy, D'Loruama Robles Delgado; Fajardo, Giuliana Gusnier; Ciales, Karen Cristina Caraballo Figueroa; Do Alta, Stephanie Rios; Orocovis, Jennifer Callan Alvarado; Arecibo, Raizha Enid Cruz Figueroa; Vega Alta, Queen of Los Angeles Rios; Corozal, Orlanis Rivera; Kaye, Karina Saarie von Gundlach Pomeles; Lares, Ivana Carolina Irizarry and Juana Díaz, Wyndley Marie Lugo Lind.
Arroyo, Genesis Davila Perez, MUPR 2013 first runner-up, Miss World of Puerto Rico 2014 and Miss USA 2018 top 5 finishers were surprised not to make it to the semi-final table.
After wearing swimsuits and then a gala costume parade, the group was reduced to ten: Juana Díaz, Salinas, Lares, Fajardo, Doa Alta, Vega Alta, Orocovis, Ciales, Corozal and Do Baja, 21 to 37 years old.
Lares Hilos also won the Woman of Valor Award in recognition of her philanthropic work with the Dorados Foundation.
The following advanced to the top 5: Lares, Corozal, Orocovis, Salinas, and Do Alta. The fourth finalist was Doa Alta, followed by Lares and the second finalist was Salinas. The first finalist was Corozal.
It should be noted that following the Miss Universe guidelines, the local pageant removed the age limit for applicants and accommodated disabled, mothers, married and divorced women.
The selection committee for the new Puerto Rican sovereignty was chaired by Ashley Carino, Madison Anderson, Modesto Layson, Harry Robles, Saudy Rivera, Dr. Luis Rodriguez Terry, and Marta Severio.
Colombian Silvestre Tangont was part of the artistic offering, ahead of his concert at the Coca-Cola Music Hall on September 19.
