The verdict is out on the most beautiful woman in the universe. On Sunday, 18-year-old Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera was crowned Miss Universe from among 86 contestants from all over the world at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Following closely were Miss Japan Kurara Chibana and Miss Switzerland Lauriane Gillieron, who were chosen runner-up and second runner-up respectively. Others in the top five list were Miss Paraguay Lourdes Arevalos and Miss United States Tara Conner. When the final moment came, a shocked but elated Rivera had the snazzy US$250,000 crown placed on her head by last year's Miss Universe Natalie Glebova. Over 600 million audiences in around 180 countries witnessed the ceremony.
“The truth is, I still do not believe it. I always had faith and confidence in myself, but I never knew I was going to win,” Rivera said in Spanish after the crowning ceremony. She would now spread awareness about HIV and AIDS under her tenure as Miss Universe. “I want to tell those people (HIV victims) there's always problems in life, but there's always possibilities to improve things,” she said. In the final round, asked what her idea of success was, Rivera had said, “That special satisfaction when a person gives what they can without worrying about the obstacles in the way.” The answer clinched her the title.
Miss Canada Alice Panikian, Miss Trinidad/Tobago Kenisha Thom, Miss Bolivia Desiree Duran, Miss Mexico Priscila Perales, and Miss Colombia Valerie Dominguez managed to make it to the top ten list but were eliminated subsequently. Japan's Chibana not only bagged the runner-up crown but also the national costume award for her ensemble that came equipped with a Samurai sword. Miss Ghana Angela Asare was voted by other contestants as the most likeable and was handed the Congeniality Award, while an online poll found Miss Philippines Lia Andrea Ramos to be the most photogenic.
Even though the ceremony went smooth, a small disturbance occurred later when Rivera collapsed during a media briefing after being named the winner. She fainted but was not hurt as some pageant assistants held her when she fell. Pageant official Lark Anton later said Rivera had recovered and was fine. “She's okay. She's fine. She got dizzy. It's very hot up here. Her dress is tight – as you could see it was beaded and heavy. She passed out,” he said.
Meanwhile, the contest brought back Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova, who recounted her one-year experience as the pageant's ambassador. “My year as Miss Universe has meant more to me than I can express. I have traveled the world on behalf of various HIV/AIDS organizations, promoting education, research and legislation, and I walk away from this experience feeling like I truly made an impact,” she said after placing the crown on Rivera's head.
Playing hosts at the event were actor-cum-singer Carlos Ponce and Access Hollywood anchor Nancy O'Dell, while Carson Kressley and Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey took on the role of commentators for the telecast of the event. The judges list had an eclectic blend of experts of various fields and included latest
The Apprentice winner Sean Yazbeck and comedian Tom Green, among other showbiz and fashion top guns.
