Disappointment for Irish beauty Lisa as Miss Colombia nabs title

Cork native Lisa (22) failed to make it as one of the ten finalists at the event held in Miami on last night.

Despite the disappointment, the Cork beauty was honoured to have taken part.

"The time has come. Tonight I represent Ireland on the main stage and could not be more honoured," she wrote before pageant finale.

SINGER

First place went to the Colombian Paulina Vega, a grand-daughter of South American singer Gaston Vega.

The 21-year-old beat contestants from 88 other countries to claim the honour.

Miss USA Nia Sanchez, from Las Vegas, was named a runner-up, along with Miss Ukraine, Diana Harkusha.

It was a year of more disappointment for the 23-year-old American contestant, who also competed in the 2014 event but lost out to Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler.

However, the show was not without some controversy as boos could be heard from sections of the crowd who felt Miss Jamaica, Kaci Fennell, was a more deserving winner.

Contestants were judged in rounds such as national costume, swimsuit and evening gown.

A questions and answer round was also included, with judge Manny Pacquiao asking the runner-up USA contestant: "If you were given 30 seconds to deliver a message to a global terrorist, what would you say?".

Overall winner Miss Colombia, Paulina Vega, was asked a question which for the first time was sourced from comments on the Miss Universe Facebook page.

WORLD

The chosen question was: "What is the greatest contribution of your country to the entire world?"

Miss Vega sealed her victory by talking about how, despite challenges to Colombia's people, "we're world leaders in many different matters".

rschiller@herald.ie