Vanessa Mendoza
Vanessa Alexandra Mendoza Bustos (born 25 July 1981) better known as Vanessa Mendoza, is a Colombian politician, actress, fashion model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Colombia 2001 being the first Afro-Colombian to win that title.Despite the poor conditions the family endured, Vanessa showed early interest in becoming a model, and began pursuing that career.Despite suspicion that she had won the contest so that rumors about racism would be eradicated[citation needed], Mendoza became popular among Colombians, who gave her the nickname "Black Barbie".Mendoza was the object of an official reception in Cartagena after her victory, where she declared that she was about representing her race and country.On March 2, 2005, she and United States comedian Chris Tucker were the key speakers at a speech in Benedict College.