Vanessa Mendoza
Encyclopedia
Vanessa Alexandra Mendoza Bustos (born 1981), better known simply as Vanessa Mendoza, is a Colombian fashion model who held the Miss Colombia
title in 2001, being the first Afro-Colombian
to win that contest.
, Colombia
. She grew up in a small village named Ungia. Mendoza grew up in poverty, and she was one of a group of sixteen siblings.
Mendoza's father died when she was still young, leaving her mother to care for her and her fifteen brothers and sisters. Despite the poor conditions in which her family lived, she 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. At the official welcoming, she declared that she was about representing her race and country. In 2010 she turned 29.
Mendoza replaced Andrea Noceti as Miss Colombia. Prior to winning Miss Colombia, Mendoza had become the only contestant of the pageant's 2001 version not to admit having a plastic surgery
done for the contest.
Mendoza participated in the Miss Universe 2002
pageant, she won 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
.
Miss Colombia
Señorita Colombia is an annual national beauty contest in Colombia that selects representatives to Miss Universe and Miss International...
title in 2001, being the first Afro-Colombian
Afro-Colombian
Afro Colombians refers to Colombians of African ancestry, and the great impact they have had on Colombian culture. Notable Afro-Colombians include Colombian scientists like Raul Cuero, writers like Manuel Zapata Olivella and politicians:...
to win that contest.
Biography
Mendoza is a native of the Chocó DepartmentChocó Department
Chocó is a department of Colombia known for its large Afro-Colombian population. It is in the west of the country, and is the only Colombian department to have coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It also has all of Colombia's border with Panama. Its capital is...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. She grew up in a small village named Ungia. Mendoza grew up in poverty, and she was one of a group of sixteen siblings.
Mendoza's father died when she was still young, leaving her mother to care for her and her fifteen brothers and sisters. Despite the poor conditions in which her family lived, she 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
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
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
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
". Mendoza was the object of an official reception in Cartagena after her victory. At the official welcoming, she declared that she was about representing her race and country. In 2010 she turned 29.
Mendoza replaced Andrea Noceti as Miss Colombia. Prior to winning Miss Colombia, Mendoza had become the only contestant of the pageant's 2001 version not to admit having a plastic surgery
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
done for the contest.
Mendoza participated in the Miss Universe 2002
Miss Universe 2002
Miss Universe 2002, the 51st edition of the Miss Universe pageant, was held in Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 29, 2002. There were 75 delegates from around the world who competed for the title Miss Universe 2002. Oxana Fedorova of Russia was crowned Miss Universe 2002 by...
pageant, she won the Best National Costume award.
On March 2, 2005, she and United States comedian Chris Tucker
Chris Tucker
Christopher "Chris" Tucker is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing the role of Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour film series.-Early life:...
were the key speakers at a speech in Benedict College
Benedict College
Benedict College is a historically black, liberal arts college located in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1870 by northern Baptists, it was originally a teachers' college. It has since expanded into a four-year college.-History:...
.