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Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza crowned Miss Universe 2008

MISS Universe 2008 has been crowned after the most unexpected spectacle saw Miss USA tumble for the second year running.

The 22-year-old brunette was given her crown, made of white and yellow gold and precious stones, by last year's winner, Riyo Mori of Japan, at the pageant finale watched by nearly a billion television viewers worldwide.

"I am excited. I cried a lot. I am really glad I made it," Mendoza, the 57th winner of the title, later told reporters.

The model and interior design student was among four finalists from Latin America, including first runner-up Taliana Vargas, 20, from Colombia.

The rest of the top five were from the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Russia. This year's event went more smoothly than the 2007 pageant in Mexico, which was marked by protests, a banned dress and the withdrawal of Miss Sweden after critics at home complained the contest degraded women.

However, misfortune befell Miss USA for a second straight year. During the evening gown parade, Crystle Stewart of Texas slipped on the runway. She finished in the top 10. A year ago in Mexico, Rachel Smith also lost her footing and landed on her bottom. She finished fifth.

The annual Miss Universe pageant -- which tries to present itself as something more meaningful than a swimwear parade -- was first held in Long Beach, California, in 1952. The event was taken over in 1996 by U.S. real estate mogul Donald Trump.

Communist-led Vietnam spent nearly $20 million on the event, including $7 million on a new resort and convention centre to host the pageant, in a bid to promote tourism to the Southeast Asian nation.

After celebrating at home with her family, Mendoza will spend her year-long reign traveling the world to speak out on humanitarian issues. "I think I will jump on my family and they will jump on me. I want to have my mum's food," she said.

The judging panel for the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant included: Donald Trump Jr., Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization; fashion designer and entrepreneur Roberto Cavalli; Nadine Velazquez, international cover girl and star of NBC's "My Name Is Earl"; Jennifer Hawkins, television presenter and Miss Universe 2004; Louis Licari, celebrity colorist and "Today Show" ambush makeover expert; Joe Cinque, President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences; Bollywood film & TV star, dancer, model Eesha Koppikhar; Nguyen Cong Khe, Editor in Chief of Thanh Nien newspaper and international shoe designer Taryn Rose. Jerry Springer and Mel B hosted the telecast of the 57th Annual Miss Universe competition where Lady GaGa performed her hit "Just Dance".

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from 80 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview. Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 1 billion viewers.

National Costume Award: Miss Thailand, Gavintra Photijak. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the international delegate whose national costume best reflected her country's culture, originality in preparation and the delegate's personal demeanor. She received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.

Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss El Salvador, Rebeca Moreno. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She also received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from 80 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview. Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 1 billion viewers.

Miss Congeniality Universe(TM) Award: Miss El Salvador, Rebeca Moreno. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She also received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.

The MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2008 prize package includes: the Miss Universe tiara created by CAO Fine Jewelry (a division of PNJ) designed by Mrs. Dang Thi Kim Lien and Rosalina Lydster valued at more than $30,000 dollars; a 2 year scholarship from the New York Film Academy worth more than $100,000 dollars to its acting or film-making programs; eveningwear gowns from Scala, designed by Sherri Hill; a national and international multi-media advertising campaign and a complete denim wardrobe from YMI Jeanswear; a custom swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand; a shoe collection from Nina Footwear; a trophy from Rogaska Crystal; year-long supply of Farouk Systems products, makers of CHI, the original Ceramic Technology tools; membership to Gravity Fitness and pampering at John Barrett Salon; fashion portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; consultations with nutritionist and creator of The F-Factor Diet(TM) Tanya Zuckerbrot; dermatology and skincare services by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; consultations with personal stylist Billie Causieestko and access to an event wardrobe from leading fashion designers; a New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization to further her personal and professional goals.

ABOUT THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION

The MISS UNIVERSE(R), MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, God's Love We Deliver, APICHA and Gay Men's Health Crisis, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.

Dayana Sabrina Mendoza Moncada (born June 1, 1986 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a model, Miss Venezuela 2007, and Miss Universe 2008.

In 2001, Mendoza signed with Elite Model Management and modeled in Italy, France, United States, England, Greece, Spain, Germany, Mexico and Peru for Versace, Roberto Cavalli and other fashion designers. She speaks Spanish, English, and Italian.

Dayana beat 27 other candidates to win Miss Venezuela 2007 on September 13, 2007, and became only the second woman representing the Amazonas state to win (the first being Carolina Izsak in 1991). She was crowned Miss Universe 2008 at the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 13, 2008. Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori crowned her with a tiara worth 120,000 U.S. dollars. Her prize package included cash, a year contract promoting Miss Universe, world travel, a rent-free, prestigious New York City flat, luxury apartment and a gift bag stuffed with designer shoes, dresses and beauty products, a $100,000 stipend for a 2-year course at the New York Film Academy and free access to famous fashion houses and beauty parlors. Mendoza will spend her year-long reign traveling the world to lecture on humanitarian issues and to promote education regarding HIV/AIDS.

Mendoza has stated that she enjoys "design, photography, advertising and wave surfing." She was once kidnapped in Venezuela, and stated the trauma taught her to remain poised under pressure.

Venezuela is a "pageant superpower" and has had four previous Miss Universe and five Miss World winners. Mendoza is the first winner from the country since Miss Universe 1996's winner Alicia Machado

In 2001, she signed with Elite Model Management. Following this, she modeled in a number of countries, including Italy, France, United States, England, Greece, Spain, Germany, Mexico and Peru. The list of designers she modeled for included names like Versace and Roberto Cavalli. Standing tall, at a height of 5'10", she speaks Spanish, English and Italian fluently. In 2007, she won Miss Venezuela beauty pageant and from there, went on to bag the title of Miss Universe 2008.

The green-eyed beauty was the favorite of bookies since the start of the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant. However, it is believed that it was her answer to the final question, in which she was asked to explain the difference between men and women, which made a mark and led her to the crown. After winning the crown, she told the reporters that she was once kidnapped in her homeland. It was this experience that taught her how to remain clam and poised, even under the most stressful and pressurizing situations.

Dayana Sabrina Mendoza Moncada (born June 1, 1986 in Caracas, Venezuela) is a model and Miss Venezuela 2007 and the newly crowned Miss Universe 2008. She is 22 years old. Her measurements are 33.5-23-35. She has brown hair and gorgeous green eyes. She stands 5′9.5″.

Dayana beat out 27 other candidates to win Miss Venezuela 2007 on September 13, 2007, and became only the second woman representing the Amazonas state to win (the first being Carolina Izsak in 1991)[citation needed]. She was crowned Miss Universe 2008 at the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 13, 2008.

Trilingual (Spanish, Italian and English) contestant from Amazonas state Dayana Mendoza, 22, (178-centimetre (5 foot 10), with ideal measurements, 85-58-89) said she likes “design, photography, advertising and wave surfing.” She replied to the query: “Men think that the fastest way to go to a point is to go straight. Women know that the faster way to go to a point is to go to the curves.” Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori crowned her with a 120,000 U.S. dollars tiara. She beat out runner-up Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas and Miss Dominican Republic, Marianne Cruz Gonzalez. Her prize package included - cash, a year contract promoting Miss Universe, world travel, a rent-free, prestigious New York City flat, luxury apartment and a gift bag stuffed with free designer shoes, dresses and beauty products, a $ 100,000 stipend for a 2-year course at the New York Film Academy and free access to famous fashion houses and beauty parlors. Mendoza will spend her year-long reign traveling the world to lecture on humanitarian issues. She will travel around the world to lecture on humanitarian issues and promote education regarding HIV/AIDS.

Mendoza’s Venezuela is a “pageant superpower” with 4 previous Miss Universe and 5 Miss World winners. It’s Alicia Machado last won Miss Universe in 1996. The 57th winner since 1952 (pageant first held in Long Beach, California, in 1952) was watched by a live audience of 7,500 and nearly a billion television viewers worldwide.