Miss Colombia Paulina Vega is this year's Miss Universe, besting more than 80 other beauties from around the world.

Vega, a 22-year old business administration student from Barranquilla, Colombia, felt overwhelmed by the news that people of Colombia had gone out to the streets to celebrate her victory.

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"It felt like home. I felt like I was in Colombia with my people. I felt that support in every moment of the pageant," she said in a press conference, wearing a stunning silver gown.

Vega, a pageant newbie revealed that Miss Universe was the first she had participated in. She also revealed plans of returning to school in Colombia after her reign.

"It will be a dream come true to represent the woman of today. A woman that not only cares about being beautiful and being glamorous, but also cares about being a professional, intelligent, hard-working person," Vega had earlier said when asked about her thoughts if she wins the crown.  

Real estate mogul Donald Trump, owner of the pageant, said Vega had been an early favorite.  "From the minute she walked in the building, people said, 'She's a star,'" Trump said.

Bagging the first runner-up was 24-year old Miss USA, Nia Sanchez from Las Vegas, Nevada.  Sanchez said she prepared most for the often-dreaded interview portion than any other pageant segment.  Sanchez holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and traveled across the country to teach the sport. She shared the importance of women knowing how to defend themselves against crime.

"It's just something that's so prevalent in our society and why not empower women to take control of a dangerous situation into their own hand," Sanchez said.

Aside from the usual cheers, boos were heard as 22-year Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell was declared fourth runner up. 

She began trending on Twitter, along with the hashtag #MissJamaicaShouldHaveWon.  People think Fennell was robbed of the title.

Some tweeted Miss Jamaica's defeat was due to her short hair, some said it was for political reasons.

'I don't have long tresses like everyone else, I'm just representing myself and that's what beauty pageants are all about,' Fennell said, who wore a long, red beaded evening gown. 'You don't have to look a certain way ... and I feel like I represent that.' 

Fennel proudly answered Usain Bolt, the world's fastest short distance runner and reggae king Bob Marley, when asked about her country's greatest contributions to the world.

Miss Jamaica isn't alone in adding spice to this year's pageant.  Just last week, Miss Lebanon faced criticism when she appeared in a photo with Miss Israel.  Lebanon and Israel have been at war for more than 6 decades. Miss Lebanon explained, saying Miss Israel photobombed her.

Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha bagged the second runner-up title, while Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell and Miss Netherlands Yasmin Verheijen made it to the top five.

The pageant was held in Miami and included performances by singers Nick Jonas and Prince Royce.

TagsMiss Universe, miss colombia, paulina vega, Miss Jamaica, Kaci Fennel