2000- 2014
Part 1
In order to get ready for Miss Dominican Republic 2014 (date still confirmed), I'll be posting several threads that will tell the tale of my country's delegates during the past 14 year. Hope you guys enjoy, I feel that know that not many people know the history of the contest and I'd like to introduce them to it!
2000
Gilda Jovine
We start of the decade with the statuesque, 6 foot, beauty, from Constanaza, La Vega, Gilda Jovine being crowned as Miss Dominican Republic 2000. During this year, the contest attempted to get the fashion industry more involved in pageants. Designers were responsible to dress one girl, in where Gilda was dressed by Diany Mota. The public and judges (which included Martina Thorogood, MW 1st RU) were satisfied with the beautiful model who had experience from modeling in NYC, and elected her queen. Unfortunately lack of proper training left her unplaced in Miss Universe 2000.
2001
Claudia de los Santos
In 2001, southern beauty, Claudia Santos, representing San Juan was chosen to represent the country in that year’s Miss Universe. The public admired the exotic brunette triguena, fluent in French and English, with the perfect measurements of 90-60-90; yet she failed to place that year.
2002
Ruth Ocumarez
In 2001, the organization realized that lack of training was hurting their chances in Miss Universe. In an attempt to improve their chances, the 2002 edition was held the year prior in July of 2001. That year the two favorites were Judith Cury and Ruth Ocumarez. Judith impressed people with her elegance and fashion sense but was edged out by the slightly younger, Ruth Ocumarez. Ruth captured the attention of the world for being the first Miss Dominican Republic of predominant African descent (although in 1998, mulata, Selinee Mendez was crowned).
[youtube]0YJqiJbXICM[/youtube]
(Rare footage from the crowning moment, Judith and Ruth are top 2!)
(Ruth during Miss Universe Prelim, Seline Mendez- MDRU 98)
She enticed people with her radiant smile, relatable personality and luscious dark skin, yet surprised many when she failed to place in Miss Universo. While her preliminary performance was lackluster, people expected her personality, interview and audience support to help her in the contest. Dominicans were upset to see their “Diosa de Ebano” (Ebony Goddess) not place in Miss Universe, but once again the question of “training” came into question.
(Finalist at that years NC competition, the following year we would win this prize)
2003
(Candidates of that year)
Amelia Vega
In 2002, it was announced that director, Belkis Reyes would be released as the director of Miss Dominican Republic. In an effort to leave with a “bang” Belkys; that year 17 year old, 6’1 ft, Amelia Vega won the competition, representing Santiago. Amelia was the automatic favorite in the pageant and it was no surprise that she would win, her mother had previously represented our country in Miss World.
[youtube]BCnmOHLdFu8[/youtube]
(Rare footage from the Crowning Moment!)
That year, Amelia received the special opportunity to train in Venezuela for about a week (not a month as some people believe). Amelia had the opportunity to receive advice from Alicia Machado and Osmel Sousa, who saw a lot of potential in Amelia when his own candidate faced missing Miss Universe due to lack of funds. While in Venezuela, Amelia dyed her hair a darker color and had a procedure to remove her gummy smile.
(2 rare shots from her time in Venezuela)
At Miss Universe, Amelia demonstrated what a year of training was actually worth. However, Belkis Reyes could not pay the full franchise fee for Miss Universe and some feared this would have a negative influence on Amelia’s placement. Rumors also began to arise of Amelia’s spoiled and “bitchy” attitude that sort of caused people to question the likelihood of Amelia placing. Some even commented that Amelia was angry when she saw Mariangel competing, believing that the MVOrg had lied to her about her participation. Her chances of placing were furthered questioned when Amelia wore a dainty blue dress for her preliminaries, a dress that many found disappointing and outdated.
This didn’t matter as during the finals, Amelia Vega was called next to last as a top 15 finalist. Amelia impressed the judges by substituting her dress to a white simple gown with dangling beads for sleeves by Leonel Lirio. She then sashayed her body in the swimsuit round and then into the Miss Universe Crown. On June 3rd, 2003, Amelia Vega not only became our third candidate to place in Miss Universe but the 1st ever Dominican to win the title.
As Miss Universe, Amelia Vega traveled to over 30 countries and helped promote awareness about HIV & Aids. Her homecoming brought joy to the people of her country, with hundreds of people attending the event to celebrate her victory. The president at the time paid of the debt she owed to the Miss Universe Org and at the 2003 Pan American Games, held that year in Santo Domingo, she was awarded an honorary medal.
Years after her reign, Amelia has still remained in the limelight. She has dedicated herself as a singer and has opened up concerts to the likes of Mark Antony and Chayanne. She also owns several botiques in Miami. She still attends media events and time to time we’ll see her on a magazine cover, ad or working as a presenter. In 2011, she surprised everyone (including the guests who believed they were invited to a holiday party) when she secretly married Al Horford, a basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks, in a private ceremony; yet the couple have remained together ever since. As of 2014, rumors are saying that Amelia might be involved in the production of Miss Latina USA.
Thank you guys for reading!