Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024 is Jennifer Colón Alvarado of Orocovis
Jennifer Colón Alvarado, representing Orocovis, was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024 during the national competition on Thursday, June 27 at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré in San Juan.
The 36-year-old mother of three, a medical grade esthetician and iridologist will now represent Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2024 (73rd Miss Universe) in Mexico this November.
Orlanis Rivera of Corozal was named first runner-up. At the same time, Carolina Gómez of Salinas, Ivana Carolina Irizarry of Lares, and Stephanie Soto of Toa Alta were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively.
Karla Guilfú Acevedo of Patillas, last year's winner and Miss Universe 2023 Top 5 finalist reliquished her crown at the end of the glittering event where the reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios was also present as a special guest.
The new Miss Universe Puerto Rico made history as the first-ever mother and the oldest woman to win the national title since the Miss Universe Organization changed rules allowing all women over 18 years old to compete.
"Victories are more significant when they have a collective impact when they break molds and open the doors to inclusion," Jennifer wrote in Spanish online.
"When I see these photos, I see the reflection of thousands of Puerto Rican women whose eyes once again display the flame of illusion and whose wings once again spread majestically in pursuit of the achievement of goals that they already felt were forbidden to them," she added.
"Last night, Miss Universe Puerto Rico turned on the inner light of Puerto Rican women again; woman, of whom I humbly am a reflection. Puerto Rico, they have everything I am and what I have," she continued.
"I promise to make the best representation of our identity as Puerto Ricans. Thank you for the honor of carrying you on my chest."
Jennifer is no stranger to pageantry, having won Miss World Puerto Rico 2009 and competed during the 59th Miss World in South Africa. She also placed first runner-up at Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2009.
Photos: Jean Ayala / Wapa TV, Miss Universe Puerto Rico / Instagram
