Claim to Fame:
Miss Universe 2003
311 Public Service Announcer

Bio:
Amelia Vega, who captured the audience during the 2003 Miss Universe Competition, is a statuesque 18-year-old native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  Her incredible energy and vivacious nature won over the judges during the live NBC telecast held in Panama City, Panama. 

Amelia’s move from the Dominican Republic to take on the title of MISS UNIVERSE is a sweet reunion for her and New York City, where she once resided as a student in Queens and attended the New Commerence High School for non-English speaking kids.  This time around, Amelia will work as a goodwill ambassador for women around the world by representing the Miss Universe Organization.  

Before putting on the crown, Amelia was completing her high school studies and was planning to continue her education to earn a degree in television production.  While living in the Dominican Republic, Amelia modeled for four years with a local agency. In the future, Amelia hopes to also pursue her dream of becoming a singer.  With a demo single already completed, Amelia is working on her first CD.  In addition to singing, a few of Amelia’s loves are sushi, her dachshund puppy named Weenie, and dancing the merengue.  

Amelia‘s father is a general medical practitioner with offices in New York City and Miami; and her mother, a previous Miss Dominican Republic titleholder with a fondness for flying, has recently received her pilot’s license.  She has a very close relationship with her parents and is a mentor to her half-sister. In addition to her parents, Amelia considers her grandmother and uncle Juan Luis Guerra, an author and Grammy Award-winning Latin musician, amongst her idols.    

As MISS UNIVERSE 2003, Vega will travel extensively working with internationally recognized HIV/AIDS organizations including the Global Health Council, Cable Positive, amfAR, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and God’s Love We Deliver.  As a “celebrity” spokesperson, she will be responsible for working with the media globally to generate a better understanding and acceptance of AIDS and HIV and its prevention while helping to increase awareness, funding and resources for these key organizations.