VALERIE DOMINGUEZ TARUD

Valerie Domínguez Tarud (born January 12, 1981 in Barranquilla, Colombia) was Miss Colombia 2005-2006 and competed at Los Angeles, United States to participate in Miss Universe 2006. Domínguez made the first cut top 20 of the competition where she competed in swimsuit,and made it to the second cut top 10 where she competed in evening gown. She also studied fashion design in Milan, Italy, and is a successful jewelry designer, a family tradition.

Valerie is also widely recognized thanks to her television appearances, and made her debut as Marianne Sajir in "Hasta que la plata nos separe." She also started to enter the Colombian film industry, in the role of Manuela for the film called, "Esto huele mal" by Jorge Ali Triana. It was fairly light in Colombia for the participation of the beautiful actress. She's now in the television drama El Último Matrimonio Feliz. Valerie has a jewelry store in Barranquilla, which exhibits her designs. She will soon open another store in Bogotá.

Valerie is a cousin to pop star Shakira, and is of Syrian-Lebanese descent. Valerie is also cousin to her predecessor Adriana Tarud Durán, Miss Colombia 2004-2005. The two Miss Colombias are also of Palestinian descent from the Tarud side of the family