Sofía Vergara Honored with Massive Statue in Colombian Hometown

Sofía Vergara received a grand tribute in her Colombian hometown—a towering bronze statue unveiled as a gift for her July 10th birthday. The massive sculpture immediately sparked a wave of online buzz, but not all of it was praise.

The Statue’s Grand Reveal

Colombian artist Yino Márquez, known for the controversial Shakira statue unveiled in late 2023, created this new piece for Vergara. Standing nearly 28 feet tall and weighing over 11,000 pounds, the bronze statue depicts the Modern Family star in a sleek black gown. One hand rests confidently on her hip, while the other reaches skyward, releasing sculptural stars from her fingertips.

Barranquilla’s mayor, Alejandro Char, led the unveiling ceremony. He showered Vergara with praise, saying,
“Barranquilla is at your feet. Thank you for being who you are, proudly Barranquillera. She’s stayed true to herself — her spirit, joy, and determination have taken her far.”

Vergara’s Birthday and Heartfelt Thanks

Though the statue event was a big deal in Colombia, Vergara was celebrating her birthday in Sardinia, Italy, with family and friends. She later expressed gratitude on Instagram, sharing photos of the statue along with a heartfelt message.

“Thank you, my beautiful Barranquilla, for this gift! I never imagined my story and dreams would leave such a mark on this land I love,” she wrote. “This statue honors not only me but also the people of Barranquilla and my family and friends who’ve always supported me. I love you all!”

Mixed Reactions Online

Despite the statue’s grandeur—it took seven months and a 35-person team to complete—reactions online were mixed.

On a popular pop culture subreddit, users quickly debated the statue’s appearance.
“One user wrote, ‘They need to stop making these statues. They are horrendous,’” while another asked, “Who approved this?!?”

Many criticized the statue’s face, saying it lacked resemblance to Vergara. “Can we get some artists who know how to sculpt faces?” one commenter demanded. Another questioned, “Is it still an honor if it doesn’t look like you?”

Supporters Applaud the Tribute

On the other hand, some fans praised the statue and the artist’s intent.
“As a Colombian, I love this. It captures her essence just like the Shakira statue,” one Redditor said. “These statues help change how people see Colombia. They’re worthy of this honor.”

Another added, “There are too many statues of men on horses, not enough of women in heels. I approve wholeheartedly!”

Humor and Criticism Collide

Some netizens couldn’t resist poking fun at the statue’s “lumpy” shape and “bad teeth.” One joked, “Finally, a realistic chance of being crushed to death by Sofía Vergara!”

A Statue That Sparks Conversation

Love it or hate it, the statue has done what great pop culture moments do: it sparked lively conversation, stirred emotions, and grabbed attention worldwide.

What’s your take on Sofía Vergara’s statue? Share your thoughts with us and spread the word so we can hear from more voices!