( CNN ) At this year 's Miss Universe pageant , a loss may have overshadowed the win . While Miss Colombia , 22-year-old student Paulina Vega , took home the crown in Miami on Sunday night , social media was more concerned with the fate of Miss Jamaica . When politics and beauty pageants collide . There were boos when 22-year-old model Kaci Fennell was announced as the fourth runner-up . Viewers immediately weighed in with why they felt Miss Jamaica had been robbed of the title , citing everything from her race to her short haircut amongst the flowing manes of other contestants . First runner-up was Miss USA Nia Sanchez . Women from more than 80 countries competed in the event , which is owned by Donald Trump . TV journalists Thomas Roberts and Natalie Morales co-hosted .
Audience members laughed when fourth place was announced . Some had theories as to why Miss Jamaica did n't win . Miss Jamaica was first runner - up .