MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-two year old Paulina Vega from Colombia was crowned Miss Universe Sunday night (Monday morning in Manila) in Miami, Florida, besting 87 other candidates, including Miss Philippines Mary Jean Lastimosa. As she begins her reign as the queen of one of the most prestigious beauty pageants in the universe, let us take a look at her journey to claiming the highly-coveted crown:
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega walks in her swimsuit during the Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Sunday. AP
Miss Colombia, Paulina Vega, poses for the judges, during the national costume show during the 63rd annual Miss Universe Competition in Miami, Florida., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015. AP
Miss Universe contestant Paulina Vega, of Colombia, poses for a photo after a news conference for contestants from Latin America and Spain, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 in Doral, Florida. AP
Miss Colombia, Paulina Vega, takes a selfie after she painted on a blank wall in Miami’s Wynwood area, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. Miss Universe contestants visited pop artist Romero Brittos studio for an interactive painting event. AP
Miss Universe contestants Paulina Vega of Colombia, right, and Camille Cerf of France, pose for a selfie with towels wrapped around their heads, after a Zumba Class for contestants, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 in Doral, Florida. AP
Miss Universe contestant Paulina Vega, of Colombia, walks along the pool during the Yamamay swimsuit runway show, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, in Doral, Florida. AP
A disc jockey poses for a photo with Miss Universe contestants Paulina Vega, of Colombia, left, Gabriela Frankova, of the Czech Republic, and Ivana Misura, of Croatia, during the Yamamay swimsuit runway show, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, in Doral, Florida. AP
Singer Gavin Degraw performs with Miss Colombia Paulina Vega during the Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Sunday. AP
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega waves after becoming Miss Universe at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Sunday. AP
Miss Colombia Paulina Vega reacts after hearing she has become Miss Universe at the Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Sunday. AP
Reigning Miss Universe Gabriela Isler, right, crowns the new Miss Universe, Paulina Vega of Colombia, left, during the Miss Universe pageant in Miami, Sunday. AP
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