Melissa studied Chemical Engineering at the National University of Colombia in Medellin and has toured many parts of Colombia due to her profession. Melissa is fluent in English. She is the daughter of Marcos Varón Rodriguez and Aidee Armenta Ballesteros, and her sister is Nataly Varón. Her height is and her measurements are 86-62-90, with swarthy skin and dark brown eyes.
In the 2011–2012 Miss Colombia pageant edition, Melissa won the Miss Elegance Primatela. She later began to be considered as a favorite for the crown along with the representatives from the departments of Valle and Atlántico. On the night of the 14 of November in Cartagena She received the second best score at the evening gown gala giving her the right to follow onto the swimsuit phase where she was named first runner-up. The response proved to be safe and direct earning her public confidence and the jury gave her the title of National Beauty Virreina of Colombia 2011–2012, and curiously, last year Lizeth González of Magdalenaachieved this very same position.