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Jennifer Ventura has made history for her home province of Barahona. On Sunday night at the Eduardo Brito National Theater, she was crowned Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2025, breaking a 40-year drought and firmly re-establishing the southern region in the national spotlight.
The last time Barahona held the crown was in 1985, when Melba Altagracia Vicens Bello competed at Miss Universe. Before her, Ivonne Lucía Butler de los Montellanos brought home the title in 1972. Ventura's win now secures Barahona its third-ever national crown.
© @edwardtavarezrdA Show-Stopping Final Night
This year's gala gathered 29 contestants from across the country and Dominican communities abroad. The pageant featured the beloved swimsuit and evening gown segments, where Ventura stood out for her elegance, confidence, and undeniable charisma.
In the decisive Q&A round, fitness coach Haidy Cruz, who competed in the pageant in 2024, asked her how to protect women facing gender-based violence. Ventura's reply resonated deeply: "We should start with education. If we want change, we must begin with our children, so they understand the role of women—who are the backbone of our society. They must learn the value of women in society."
Her answer brought the audience to their feet and quickly became one of the night's most shared moments online.
© @valeryhilarioThe Other Winners
First runner-up was Jearmanda Ramos of Punta Cana, while Criselys García of Peravia took second place and earned the title of Reina Hispanoamericana RD. Ana Maspons of Santo Domingo de Guzmán was crowned Miss International RD.
Ventura's victory is a significant milestone for the South, which has historically had fewer wins compared to the Cibao region and the capital. Santiago leads with nine crowns, followed by Santo Domingo (eight), Puerto Plata (six), La Vega (five), and Espaillat and Duarte (four each). The South's most recent wins before Ventura were Yaritza Miguelina Reyes (Elías Piña, 2013) and Ada Aimée de la Cruz (San José de Ocoa, 2009).
A Night Full of Dominican Pride
The 69th edition of the pageant featured an all-star jury, including Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera, Dominican designer Jusef Sánchez, and businessman Matthews Winter. René Brea directed the show, which was hosted by Jessica Pereira and Clovis Nienow and aired live on Color Visión and YouTube.
© @missuniversedominicanaThe opening number, which caused a stir on social media, showcased the contestants wearing garments referencing the United States of North America instead of Dominican culture. After dancing to Grease and honoring New York and Chicago, the contestants proceeded to the elimination rounds, with the final six being Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Peravia, San José de Ocoa, Barahona, María Trinidad Sánchez, and Punta Cana.
A Crown with Deeper Meaning
The crowning moment was made even more special by the presence of current Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer of Denmark, who danced to live Dominican merengue music and personally crowned Ventura.
© @missuniversedominicanaVentura's final gown carried a profound personal story. Designed as a white column dress with crystal embellishments, a pink waist detail, and a sheer cape, it was inspired by the orchid, her late mother Roselin Marte Nova's favorite flower. Marte Nova tragically passed away in the Jet Set nightclub disaster.
© @missuniversedominicana"The orchid blooms where memory lives," Ventura shared on Instagram. "This dress is a tribute to my mother… Every detail carries the essence of the woman who taught me to love with tenderness and shine with strength." Now, Jennifer Ventura prepares to represent the Dominican Republic at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand on November 21, aiming to bring home the nation's second universal crown since Amelia Vega's iconic win in 2003.
With her province's pride in her heart and her mother's memory in every step, Ventura is stepping onto the world stage as a beauty queen and a symbol of resilience, heritage, and hope.
© @missuniversedominicanaWhile the country has a new queen, many wonder where Celinee Santos Frias, who was crowned in 2024, is.
Where Was the Outgoing Queen Celinee Santos
Although many eagerly anticipated her presence at the Miss Universe Dominican Republic 2025 gala, outgoing queen Celinee Santos did not take the stage to pass the crown to her successor, breaking one of the pageant's most symbolic traditions.
© Getty ImagesSantos's absence sparked rumors and questions among attendees and on social media, where it had already been suggested that she would participate in the farewell gala. Dressed in evening wear and speaking from a hotel in Santo Domingo, Santos closed her chapter in the competition with an emotional video posted on her Instagram account, reflecting on the lessons, challenges, and gratitude that defined her reign.
© @missuniversedominicana"Being queen was not just a dream come true; it was a transformative experience that taught me about self-love, responsibility, empathy, and strength," she began. "Today I say goodbye to a stage that was much more than a crown, a sash, or a perfect photo. I say goodbye to a chapter that marked my soul, that challenged me, that made me cry with emotion and pride… that changed me forever," she wrote. "Behind the dresses, the makeup, and the applause, there were moments of solitude, of silent effort, of doubt… but there were also genuine smiles, unexpected hugs, and an inner strength I never imagined I had."
© Hector Vivas"Wearing this crown was not just about looking good… it was about representing, inspiring, and serving. And along that path, I found wonderful people who left a mark on me," Santos added, thanking her loved ones for the support: "To my family, who held me up even when I faltered: thank you for being my root and refuge. To my fellow contestants: we were rivals for a moment, but sisters along the way.
To everyone who supported me with a message, applause, or a smile: thank you for making me feel valued and seen."
A Message to the New Miss Dominican Republic 2025
While Santos never crowned the new queen, she sent her a message: "To you, the new queen…you are beginning a unique chapter. Live it with dedication and heart. Never lose your essence because that is what will truly make you shine," she wrote.
© @edwardtavarezrd"Today I take off the crown, but I leave with a full heart. I leave happy, grateful, and certain that every step was worth it. This crown stays, but my love for this dream I carry with me forever. Today I don't just close a chapter… I leave part of my heart in every memory. This story doesn't end here. It simply changes form. Because the true queen never stops being one… she simply keeps reigning from another place. Thank you, Dominican Republic… for allowing me to be your queen."
A Queen Under the Microscope
Almost two weeks after the much-anticipated Miss Universe 2024 ceremony, where Danish contestant Victoria Kjær Theilvig was crowned the winner, the contestants had the opportunity to spend time together and get to know each other through various activities and events.
Several videos from these moments circulated on social media, and inevitably, the representative of the Dominican Republic, Celinee Santos, drew attention, not only for her poise and beauty but also for her confidence. Some internet users felt that the model's behavior was not the best, and after a wave of online comments, she finally spoke out.
© Hector VivasCelinee appeared as a guest on Hoy Día (Telemundo), where host and former Miss Universe Andrea Meza asked her about the reactions to her behavior. "The work was done. I feel pleased with what I was able to accomplish," she said.
However, she admitted she would be open to changing a few things "if I had the opportunity, like managing my nerves, my emotions, being there on that stage." Still, she said she was satisfied to have achieved something she had "longed for since I was 13 years old, and thank God, I was able to make it happen."
The Dominican beauty acknowledged that social media comments affected her and said that, in some cases, the videos may have been taken out of context. "I would tell people not to take social media so seriously, not to take the comments so seriously, because that does affect us as candidates, as young women," she admitted.
She added: "Also, psychologically, for me it was very sad every time I went on social media and saw a comment or a video that could be manipulated because, in the end, it's not what happens, it's the context in which it happens and the message we can convey."
One viral moment online showed Celinee breaking protocol during the Miss Universe final competition. Rather than saying only the name of her country, she also said her name, which some interpreted as an act of defiance. Other clips appeared to show her seeking the spotlight, even at the expense of her fellow contestants, leading some to label her as arrogant.
However, given the magnitude of the competition, it would not be surprising if nerves got the better of her. Almost a year later, Santos assures, "The best is yet to come," hinting that we might soon know more about her next move.
