Jennifer Colón
Jennifer Colón | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jennifer Colón Álvarado December 21, 1987 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Other names | Jenny Allende |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Spouse |
Elan Allende (m. 2010) |
| Children | 3 |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss World Puerto Rico 2009 Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024 |
| Hair color | Brunette |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Major competition(s) |
|
Jennifer Colón Alvarado (born December 21, 1987), also known as Jenny Allende, is a Puerto Rican model, singer, presenter, esthetician, iridologist, businesswoman and beauty pageant titleholder, who was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024 on June 27, 2024. As a 36-year-old woman and single mother of three children, Colón became the first woman over the age of 28, and the first mother to win the title.[1]
Colón was previously crowned Miss World Puerto Rico 2009 and represented Puerto Rico at Miss World 2009.
Early life[edit]
Colón was very creative as a child and had an early interest in music, science and art. Her grandfather, Eliseo Alvarado, was a well known musician in Orocovis, Puerto Rico. When she was 4 years old her brother was born with a rare disease called nonketotic hyperglycinemia. This and the flooding of their family home in San Juan made her parents move with her grandparents in Orocovis for a few months. The sound of Colón's grandfather playing the Puerto Rican cuatro left a mark in her heart and created a passion for sounds and melodies.
In 2005, she graduated with honors from high school Colegio Bautista in Levittown, Puerto Rico and studied chemistry for three years (2005–2008) at Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico in Cupey.
In 2008, she changed her major to architecture, studying at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, but only completed one year.
As a model, Colón appeared in many editorials and fashion shows in Puerto Rico and is one of the most sought after models on the island.
As of 2024, Colón was working as a medical esthetician and iridologist.
Pageantry[edit]
Miss Puerto Rico Teen 2006[edit]
At 16 years old, Colón participated in Miss Puerto Rico Teen 2006 with Natalia Rivera Piñero, where she placed 2nd runner-up.
Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2009[edit]
On October 22, 2008, Colón competed in the Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2009 competition representing San Juan municipality. She was considered a strong contender and was predicted by many to win the pageant. However, she placed 1st runner-up to Mayra Matos of Cabo Rojo. She also won the award for "Most Beautiful Hair".[2]
Miss World Puerto Rico 2009[edit]
In early 2009, Colón decided to represent her hometown of Bayamón in the Miss World Puerto Rico 2009 pageant, held on July 23, 2009 [3] in Puerto Rico.
Prior to the final competition, Colón won the Top Model fast-track event on July 9, which automatically guaranteed her a spot as a semi-finalist. Ivonne Orsini, who won the title of Miss World Puerto Rico 2008, would eventually crown Colón as Miss World Puerto Rico 2009.[4]
Miss World 2009[edit]
Colón represented Puerto Rico at the Miss World 2009 pageant, held in Johannesburg, South Africa on December 12, 2009, where she was one of the semifinalists in the Miss World Sports and Miss World Beach Beauty fast-track events, but did not advance to the semifinals in the final competition.[citation needed]
Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024[edit]
On April 18, 2024, Colón was presented as one of the 28 delegates competing at Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024, representing Orocovis.[5] Following her introduction, El Nuevo Día named her as one of the three competitors in the pageant who drew most attention during the presentation, describing the moment as "todos los ojos estaban puestos sobre ellas" ("all eyes were on them").[6] Colón was viewed as one of the "favorites" leading up to the coronation night.[7][8]
At the coronation night, Colón advanced to the Top 5, where she was asked, "Which, for you, is the function of a queen, and what kind of queen are you?". She responded the following in Spanish:
La principal función de una reina es erradicar los esquemas y romper paradigmas. Y como mujer de 36 años y madre de tres, es precisamente lo que estoy haciendo esta noche. Quiero que cada mujer mujer se vea reflejada en mí. Yo tuve la oportunidad de reconstruir mi autoestima pieza por pieza. Así que, mujer que me estás viendo, si yo lo hice, tú también lo puedes hacer. Quiero hacer historia en México. Quiero representar a Puerto Rico con orgullo. Para que entonces, cuando nos vean, sabrán que la luz que brilla en nosotros no es pasajera.
which reads as follows in English:
The primary function of a queen is to eradicate schemes and break paradigms. And as a 36 year old woman and mother of three, it is precisely what I am doing tonight. I want every woman to see herself reflected in me. I had the opportunity to rebuild by self-esteem piece by piece. So, woman, you who are watching me, if I did it, you can do it too. I want to make history in Mexico. I want to represent Puerto Rico with pride. So that then, when they see us, they know that the light that shines within us is not fleeting.
At the end of the event, Colón was named as the winner and was crowned by outgoing titleholder Karla Guilfú. With her win, Colón became the first woman over the age of 28, and the first mother to be selected to represent Puerto Rico at Miss Universe.
Personal life[edit]
Through people in Miss World Puerto Rico, she met Elan Allende, son of Mexican artist Fernando Allende. On September 21, 2010 Colón and Allende secretly wed in Puerto Rico with only relatives present. The couple's daughter Maria Valentina was born on June 21, 2011. On April 20, 2012 the couple welcomed their second child, son Fernando José.
Together they form the Latin pop music duo called Shambayah. Previously both Allende and Colón were cast members for the reality TV show on Bravo called Mexican Dynasties. The show was canceled after one season. By May 2021, the couple had separated and filed for divorce.
Colón was engaged to Puerto Rican actor Jairo Calero. In 2022, the couple had a daughter, Cataleya, but separated later.
As of June 2024, Colón is in a relationship with Puerto Rican filmmaker Johan Lopéz.
References[edit]
- ^ Henry, Pedro Correa. "Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024 valida la nueva regla de edad". Primera Hora (in Spanish). Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2009". Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Miss World Puerto Rico 2009 Miss Bayamon Colon".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "De Bayamón Miss Mundo de Puerto Rico 2009". El Nuevo Dia. Archived from the original on 2014-08-14. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
- ^ Correa (2024-04-18). "Conoce a las delegadas de Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024". Wapa TV (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Tres candidatas llaman la atención al ser presentadas en Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024". El Nuevo Día. 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "GALERÍA: Las favoritas para coronarse como Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024". El Vocero (in Spanish). 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024: las favoritas de El Nuevo Día para ganar la corona". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
