• How would you define "beauty?"
Beauty is nature, beauty is life, but for me beauty is the key to help others especially the people in need, kids without family and even a sick kid that never looses his smile. That is why I work with a lot of foundations and with my own "Colana" foundation that builds a house for children that only lives on the streets of Colombia.

• What were your reasons for joining the Miss Deutschland pageant?
I've worked for my goal, for my dreams and winning the state final of Miss Nordrhein Westfalen and Miss Deutschland pageant was the first step.

• How were you elected as Miss Germany Universe? Describe the judging process.
First I became Miss Dόsseldorf, the city where I was born then I won the state pageant called Miss Nordrhein Westfalen and then I went to Miss Deutschland pageant. In all three competitions, we were judged in four areas. Firstly, we had our own oral presentation where we talked about ourselves, hobbies and what we do in life. Then the swimsuit, evening gown and final question & answer rounds followed.

• What do you think are your qualities that helped you earn the judges' approval & the crown?
I think my determination and my behavior got me the crown. They noticed that I really enjoyed the whole experience, handling well my nervousness. I also helped some of the other delegates in certain ways and spoke in an excellent way.

• Tell us about your preparations for the Miss Universe contest.
It's simple. Diet, diet, diet! (wink!) But to be honest, I did a lot of exercise and went to the gym daily and attended dance and art classes. My agency in Germany hired a trainer for public speaking and a trainer for catwalk. Of course, everything was just possible because I have an excellent team and I received lot of support. I have the best coach ever- Alexander Gonzalez, the best designers Amalin de Hazbun and Andres Velazquez, the best photographer Sergio de Francesco, and the best personal trainer, Richard Linares. And of course I have the all-out support of the management in Germany- Mister Detlef Tursies.

• Before earning the right to represent Germany at Miss Universe, you competed at the Miss Colombia beauty pageant. How much of a "Colombian" or "German" are you?
I see myself more as cosmopolitan and as a citizen of the world!

• Any beauty queen/s that you really admire? Why?
All of them because I know for a fact that it's not easy to become a beauty queen. There is a lot of work behind it and that is why I admire all of them! They all did an excellent work.

• Describe your fashion sense and style.
Classic, elegant, casual or sporty. I make sure that my clothes suit me well. It must depend on the occasion and I should feel comfortable in it. 

• How will you describe your country to your co-candidates at Miss Universe? 
Germany is a very beautiful country- a country of fairytales! We have many castles, big forests and one of the best social and health security systems in the world. I would tell them a lot about this year's World Soccer Championship. It was the most important thing in Germany. People from all over the world came together in this amazing country. We have the first female chancellor which is another great thing for the women in Germany. I also love our climate as we have all four seasons! The people are nice and very open. The impression of others that Germans are cold and just workers are totally opposite and as half-Colombian, I am glad to say this. I love the orderliness of the cities, everything is clean, proper and organized. It is a safe country. As a multicultural country and the center of Europe, we have so many foreign settlers. In just a few hours, you can arrive in France, Belgium, Poland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland or in Luxembourg coming from Germany. It's just 1 or 3 hours by car apart. I would also talk about Berlin as an international meeting point with a lot of history and culture and also about Munich and the world's famous "Oktoberfest." I would talk about my hometown Dϊsseldorf, the city of fashion called "Little Paris." There are so many things that I know and would like other people to know so if there is any other delegate that does not know anything about my country, I would try make her realize how great my country is and for sure, she would love it like I do.

• What is your opinion on activists' point of view that exposure of too much skin in the swimsuit competition disrespects women?
I respect their point of view but I don't think like them. As a woman, I can tell you that I never felt disrespected, however, I felt admired and respected because people made me feel like this. It is a beauty pageant, it is considered a part of it and I enjoy it a lot!

• Supposed there is a Genie who happens to be mad at you for a wrong deed committed and his punishment is to turn you into an animal for a year. You can't plead to alter his decision but you get to decide what type of animal you would become, what creature would you choose and why?
I identify myself with just one animal and that's a chameleon because just like me, it's able to adapt itself to any situation or place.

• If it were your last day on earth, what would you eat & why?
I would eat the words of the bible to get full of spirituality.

• Aside from winning your title, what's the best thing that has ever happened to you?
Being hugged by an autistic child in Dubai. He hugged me, kissed me, then he started to jump up and down because he was so happy. It was a strange feeling to know that he considered me as a special person. He really made me feel the happiest person in the world. Thanks a lot to the Autism Center in Dubai!

• Do you have a motto or personal quote that you live by?
Only those who believe in the beauty of their dreams are winners.

• Do you think winning a beauty pageant is really important? Tell us about your responsibilities as Miss Germany Universe titleholder.
Of course it is! It is important for my life, important for my career and can be utilized as a platform to achieve my goals and to make other people happy by means of helping and supporting charitable organizations. A Miss Universe is an ambassadress of a whole nation that does so many activities and not only showing beauty. My responsibilities as Miss Germany are all these. 

• Why do you want do be crowned Miss Universe and how would you define the title in your own terms?
Miss Universe for Natalie is a new challenge, being an employee and a representative of the Miss Universe Organization for one year. I could do so many positive and good things with this title. I always liked to travel around the world, meeting new people, telling them how I love to learn about other cultures, making friendships and to keep on visiting charitable organizations as I so do now. You have to know that helping other people or just seeing them smile just because you are there and make them feel that you can be friend to them is something I cannot describe with my own words as you have to see it and learn it. But that really makes me happy. 

• What should pageant experts, your fellowmen, fans and beauty watchers expect from Miss Germany at Miss Universe 2006 pageant?
That I am there to give my best, to bring the title to Germany for the second time around after Marlene Schmidt in 1961. I am prepared, well-trained and really looking forward to this big challenge. 

• Finally, leave a message for your fans, supporters and the readers of Missosology.
Hello to all my friends! First of all, I want to thank you for your support especially the readers of Missosology. I'd like to thank Alexander Gonzalez, Oli who is my brother – I really LOVE you, and my parents who really supported me a lot, my agency in Germany, Detlef Tursies that believes in me. For the fans or for girls who need an advise regarding beauty pageants, you can contact me and follow my steps through www.colana.com. I promise you that I will answer! I love you all!