Vanessa Mendoza

Vanessa Alexandra Mendoza Bustos (born 1981), better known simply as Vanessa Mendoza, is a Colombian politician, actress and fashion model who held the Miss Colombia title in 2001, being the first Afro-Colombian to win that contest.

Vanessa Mendoza
Born
Vanessa Alexandra Mendoza Bustos

(1981-07-25) July 25, 1981
Occupationactress & model
Known forbeing the first Afro-Colombian to be Miss Colombia
Modeling information
Height1,73 cm

Biography

Mendoza is a native of the Chocó Department, Colombia. She grew up in a small town named Unguía. Mendoza grew up in poverty, and she was one of sixteen children. Her father died when she was still young, leaving her mother to care for the family. Despite the poor conditions the family endured, Vanessa showed early interest in becoming a model, and began pursuing that career.

Mendoza became Miss Chocó in 2001, a year in which Miss Colombia was facing a racial scandal. She became the first Black Miss Colombia, winning the title over first runner up, Consuelo Guzmán Parra. Despite suspicion that she had won the contest so that rumors about racism in it would be eradicated, Mendoza became popular among Colombians, who gave her the nickname "Black Barbie". Mendoza was the object of an official reception in Cartagena after her victory, where she declared that she was about representing her race and country.

Mendoza replaced Andrea Nocetti as Miss Colombia. Prior to winning Miss Colombia, Mendoza had the distinction of being the only contestant of the pageant's 2001 version not to admit having a plastic surgery for the contest. Mendoza participated in the Miss Universe 2002 pageant, winning the Best National Costume award.

On March 2, 2005, she and United States comedian Chris Tucker were the key speakers at a speech in Benedict College.

Politics

She won a seat as part of the black minority in Congress and became a member of Chamber of Representatives from 2017 to 2018.[1] Colombia's 10% black minority has the right to two of the 166 seats in the lower congressional chamber.[2]

References

  1. "Admiten demanda contra llamado a exreina Vanessa Mendoza para curul afro". www.elpais.com.co. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
  2. colombiareports (2017-07-07). "Former Miss Colombia to represent black minority in Congress". Colombia News | Colombia Reports. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
Preceded by
Andrea Nocetti
Miss Colombia
2002
Succeeded by
Diana Mantilla
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