Lance Joseph Martinez

10 Things to Know About the First-Ever MGI All Stars Queen, Vanessa Pulgarin

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<p>Indeed, <strong>Colombia’s Vanessa Pulgarín</strong> is among the queens with one of the most inspiring comeback stories in recent pageant history, following her historic win as the first-ever <strong>Miss Grand International All Stars</strong> titleholder.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780297826737missgrandinternational_1780210883_3909014062855842876_949199277.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Official Portrait of Vanessa Pulgarin, MGI All Stars 2026 | Photo from @missgrandinternational</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>What is MGI All Stars?</strong></div><p>According to pageant founder<strong> Nawat Itsaragrisil</strong>, Miss Grand International All Stars is a special international beauty competition under the Miss Grand International organization. It serves as a veteran-focused spin-off that gathers former queens and past candidates from various national and international pageants for another shot at the crown.</p><p>Vanessa’s victory carries a poetic resonance, as Miss Grand International All Stars did not only mark her second chance on the international pageant stage, but her third overall attempt—ultimately proving that, for her, a third time truly was the charm.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780297894297[image] - 8959054.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Vanessa Pulgarin with Ghana’s Faith Maria Porter and Vietnam’s Hương Giang | Photo from @missgrandinternational</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>During the coronation night of MGI All Stars 2026 held on May 30, Vanessa was crowned the winner. She was followed by <strong>Ghana’s Faith Maria Porter</strong> as first runner-up and<strong> Vietnam’s Hương Giang</strong> as second runner-up.</p><p>Meanwhile, the <strong>Philippines</strong> also secured strong placements in the competition, with<strong> Gazini Ganados </strong>emerging as the highest-placing Filipina delegate after finishing in the Top 5, while <strong>Fuschia Anne Ravena</strong> concluded her journey in the Top 18.</p><p>As curiosity grows around Vanessa Pulgarin’s successful return to the pageant stage, here are 10 things to know about the first-ever MGI All Stars Queen.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780297956640[image] - 3488708.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @missgrandinternational</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>She is 34 years old.</strong></div><p>Before, international beauty pageants imposed a strict age limit of 28 years old for aspiring candidates. However, after 2023, in a move toward greater inclusivity, several pageant systems—including Miss Universe—began relaxing or removing age restrictions altogether.</p><p>As a result, candidates like Vanessa Pulgarín, now 34 years old, were given the opportunity to compete on the international stage once again. With her victory at MGI All Stars, Vanessa joined the growing list of titleholders who have defied traditional age expectations in pageantry.</p><p>Born on <strong>September 13, 1991</strong>, her win stands as a reminder of how the industry is gradually redefining beauty and eligibility beyond the 28-year-old benchmark.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>She was born and raised in Colombia.<br/></strong></div><p>Vanessa Pulgarín was born and raised in <strong>Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia</strong>.<strong></strong> Antioquia is a department located in northwestern Colombia, stretching across the Andes mountains and extending toward the Caribbean coast. </p><p>At its heart lies the <strong>Aburrá Valley, </strong>where the capital city, Medellín, stands as a cultural hub—home to the iconic <strong>Museo de Antioquia</strong>,<strong> </strong>which features notable works by Medellín-born artist <strong>Fernando Botero</strong>.<strong><br/></strong></p><p>She is the daughter of <strong>Carlos Pulgarín</strong>, who has a passion for travel and community service, and <strong>Dalila Monsalve Jiménez</strong>, an artist known within their local community.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1d6GVqiBltw?si=E_bM8X1yX1EEBYea" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>She started her career as a model.</strong></div><p>Vanessa Pulgarín also spent several years living in <strong>Sydney, New South Wales, Australia</strong>, where she built part of her modeling career by taking part in various catwalks and photoshoots. This international experience helped expand her portfolio and exposure in the fashion industry.</p><p>Aside from her time in Australia, she has also walked in runway shows across <strong>Colombia</strong>,<strong> Costa Rica</strong>,<strong> </strong>and<strong> Sri Lanka</strong>,<strong> </strong>further strengthening her presence on the global fashion stage. Among the shows she has participated in are<strong> Plataforma K Fashion Show</strong>,<strong> Procolombia Fashion Show</strong>,<strong> </strong>and<strong> SIMB Fashion Show</strong>.<strong></strong></p><p>In addition to runway work, Vanessa has been featured in numerous magazine editorials and television commercials. She has also appeared in several reality and modeling-oriented programs, including<strong><em> Elite Model Look (Colombia), Chica HTV (Venezuela), </em></strong><em></em><em></em>and<em></em><em></em><strong><em> Miss Antioquia (Colombia)</em></strong>, marking a diverse and well-rounded career in both fashion and entertainment.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>She studied at Pontifical Bolivarian University.</strong></div><p>Vanessa Pulgarín studied<strong> Social Communication and Journalism</strong> at the <strong>Pontifical Bolivarian University</strong>, a private institution in Colombia with its main campus in <strong>Medellín</strong>, where it was established in 1936.</p><p>As of 2023, the university is recognized as one of the top four institutions in Colombia and ranks among the top 30 universities in Latin America, according to the QS World University Rankings.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780298127141[image] - 3199743.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Vanessa Pulgarin during her travel in Courchevel, France | Photo from @vanepulgarin</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>She loves to travel.</strong></div><p>Looking back at her 2016 interview with <strong>Santa Misa Cosmovision</strong>, Vanessa Pulgarín shared that traveling has always been one of her greatest passions and favorite hobbies—a love she inherited from her father, Carlos.</p><p>A decade later, that passion remains evident. A glimpse at Vanessa’s Instagram account reveals that many of her highlights are dedicated to her travels, documenting the countries and destinations she has explored over the years, including <strong>France</strong>,<strong> Spain</strong>,<strong> Italy</strong>,<strong> </strong>and the<strong> United States</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>She joined Señorita Colombia 2017.</strong></div><p>After winning the<strong> Miss Antioquia</strong> title in 2016, Vanessa Pulgarín earned the right to represent her department at<strong> Señorita Colombia 2017</strong>, marking her first national pageant.</p><p>At the competition, Vanessa finished as first runner-up to<strong> Laura González </strong>of<strong> Cartagena, </strong>who later represented Colombia at <strong>Miss Universe 2017</strong> and placed as first runner-up.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780298199159[image] - 3146053.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Vanessa Pulgarin as Miss Universe Colombia 2025 | Photo from @vanepulgarin</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>She represented Colombia at Miss International 2017.</strong></div><p>Following her first runner-up finish at Señorita Colombia 2017, Vanessa Pulgarín was appointed to represent Colombia at <strong>Miss International 2017</strong>, held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan.</p><p>Although she did not advance to the semifinals, the competition marked her first appearance on the international pageant stage. At the end of the event, the <strong>Philippines’ Kylie Verzosa</strong> crowned <strong>Indonesia’s</strong><strong> Kevin Lilliana Junaedy </strong>as her successor.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>She returned to pageantry after eight years.</strong></div><p>After competing at Miss International 2017, Vanessa Pulgarín initially stepped away from pageantry, especially as she turned 27 in 2018 and was nearing the former upper age limits in several beauty competitions.</p><p>She eventually made a surprise return at <strong>Miss Universe Colombia 2025</strong> at age 33, marking her comeback to the pageant scene after eight years.</p><p>Representing <strong>Antioquia</strong> during the <strong>RCN Channel </strong>casting event, Pulgarín went on to win the crown, officially being named <strong>Miss Universe Colombia 2025</strong> on September 28, 2025, succeeding <strong>Daniela Toloza </strong>of<strong> Valle del Cauca</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRC7duxkv8W/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A809533%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>She represented Colombia at Miss Universe 2025.<br/></strong></div><p>After winning <strong>Miss Universe Colombia 2025</strong>,<strong></strong> Vanessa Pulgarín earned the right to represent Colombia at <strong>Miss Universe 2025</strong>,<strong></strong> marking her second international pageant appearance.</p><p>Despite being considered an early favorite and a frontrunner following a strong preliminary performance, she ultimately fell short of the crown, finishing her Miss Universe journey in the Top 12.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>She became the first-ever MGI All Stars Titleholder.</strong></div><p>After initially closing her pageant journey following Miss Universe 2025, Vanessa Pulgarín was given a new opportunity when Miss Grand International introduced its new competition, MGI All Stars, opening the door for her eligibility to compete once again.</p><p>Making her third return to the international pageant stage, Vanessa went on to capture the title, becoming the first-ever MGI All Stars titleholder.</p><p>She is now set to return in the next edition of MGI All Stars, where she will automatically secure a spot in the Top 18 as she attempts to defend her crown.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY-G21nB5fT/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A785983.0000000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@missgrandinternational</strong></p>

<p>As curiosity grows around Vanessa Pulgarin’s successful return to the pageant stage, here are 10 things to know about the first-ever MGI All Stars Queen.</p>

As curiosity grows around Vanessa Pulgarin’s successful return to the pageant stage, here are 10 things to know about the first-ever MGI All Stars Queen.

Who is Vanessa Pulgarín? 10 Things to Know About the First-Ever MGI All Stars Titleholder

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Who is Vanessa Pulgarín? 10 Things to Know About the First-Ever MGI All Stars Titleholder

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published June 01, 2026 05:00 PM PHT

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Updated June 01, 2026 05:06 PM PHT

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Vanessa Pulgarin

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