Ericka Yadira Cruz Escalante (born November 16, 1981 in Mérida) is a

Mexican Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

model and beauty pageant titleholder who represented her country in the

Miss Universe 2002 Miss Universe 2002 was the 51st Miss Universe pageant, held at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico on 29 May 2002. At the end of the event, Denise Quiñones of Puerto Rico crowned Oxana Fedorova of Rus ...

, held in Puerto Rico. She was the first woman of predominantly African heritage to represent

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

in Miss Universe.

References

1981 births Living people Miss Universe 2002 contestants Nuestra Belleza México winners People from Mérida, Yucatán {{mexico-bio-stub