MISS UNIVERSE WINNER

Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, 22 , was crowned as the Miss Universe 2008 on Monday held in Vietnam. She was once kidnapped in her homeland and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.

The runners-up were:
1st runner-up: Taliana Vargas (Colombia)
2nd runner-up: Marianne Cruz (Dominican Republic)
3rd runner-up: Vera Krasova (Russia)
4th runner-up: Elisa Najera (Mexico)

Other Awards were:
Best in National Costume: Miss Thailand
Miss Congeniality: Miss El Salvador

Additional Info:
Miss USA Crystle Stewart fell down again during the evening gown competition, if you may recall, during the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on You Tube, where the video was shown over and over again. Like Smith, Stewart quickly stood up after her fall and continued on as if nothing had happened.

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14 Replies

1. Posh Post Reviews

July 14, 2008 at 11:14 am

oh the philippines didn’t make it…oh sad…
2. Posh Post Reviews

July 14, 2008 at 11:17 am

i was kinda confident with her talent, beauty, and poise. oh well, better luck next time jennifer. :)
3. eshda3wa

July 14, 2008 at 2:29 pm

man that must have beeeen so embarrassing!

i would have died!
4. Grey

July 15, 2008 at 12:32 am

Dont you think too many venezuelans win miss ’something’ every year? how come no one ever wins from Far east asia or africa? .. its a meaningless parade with racist results….
5. Camilla


Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza is Miss Universe 2008 (Reuters Photo).

Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, has won the Miss Universe pageant. The 22-year-old stunner beats runners-up from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Russia and Mexico to clinch the diamond-studded golden crown.

Miss Universe 2008: Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza.

1st Runner Up: Taliana Vargas (Colombia)

2nd Runner Up: Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic)

3rd Runner Up: Vera Krasova (Russia)

4th Runner Up: Elisa Najera (Mexico)

Top five stunners

After the stunning top ten hopefuls sashayed the ramp, the judges announced the top five as: Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Taliana Vargas (Colombia) and Vera Krasova (Russia)

Best National Costume Award goes to Miss Thailand.

Miss Congeniality is Miss El Salvador

Miss USA trips on stage

For the second year in a row, Miss USA has fallen down during the evening gown competition at the Miss Universe competition. It was a nightmare come true for Miss USA Crystle Stewart, a Texan, who tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown as she made her entrance.

During the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on YouTube, where the video was shown over and over again.

Top ten contestants announced

The finalists walked across the stage in bikinis for the swimsuit competition and the excitement was spectacular when the top 10 contestants were announced.

The top ten finalists are: Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Zana Krasniqi (Kosovo), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Laura Dundovic (Australia), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Claudia Ferraris (Italy), Taliana Vargas (Colombia), Vera Krasova (Russia), Crystle Stewart (USA) and Claudia Moro (Spain).

After narrowing to 10 contestants, the show will move to evening gowns, with the smiling hopefuls walking across the stage to music. From there, five contestants will be eliminated, and the judges will choose the winner from the five remaining.

15 semi-finalists announced

The field is reduced to 15 semi-finalists, including: Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Zana Krasniqi (Kosovo), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Lam Thuy Nguyen (Vietnam), Tansey Coetzee (South Africa), Laura Dundovic (Australia), Hiroko Mima (Japan), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Claudia Ferraris (Italy), Taliana Vargas (Colombia), Vera Krasova (Russia), Jazmin Dammak (Hungary), Eliska Buckova (Czech Republic), Crystle Stewart (USA) and Claudia Moro (Spain).

The 80 contestants gathered in the seaside city of Nha Trang, Vietnam, vying to succeed reigning Miss Universe Riyo Mori of Japan.

Miss Universe 2008: Curtain raiser!

Gates of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam have opened, and hundreds rather thousands of people are thronging the venue while millions across the world have already tuned in to their TV sets to watch eighty of the world’s most beautiful women battle it out for the hot spot – the Miss Universe 2008 crown.

The show is hosted by Jerry Springer as well as former Spice Girl Mel B. The judges panel comprises of Donald Trump Jr., (executive vice president of the Trump Organization); Roberto Cavalli (fashion designer and entrepreneur); Nadine Velazquez (international cover girl); Jennifer Hawkins (television presenter and Miss Universe 2004); Louis Licari (celebrity colorist and “Today Show” ambush makeover expert) and John Nguyen (vice chairman of Hoan Cau, LTD Investment and Construction).

Actress Eesha Koppikhar has also been selected as one of the judges at Miss Universe 2008! And apparently, she’s the first Bollywood actress to judge this particular contest.

Confirming the news from Hong Kong, where she was to board a flight to Vietnam where the contest is taking place, she said, “It all happened at the last minute. I’m so excited! I have an international agent who mailed my details and they thought I was qualified to judge the show. I’m sure I’m going to have a rocking time!”

Apart from the beauties sashaying down the ramp, the pageant promises a power-packed performance by sensational pop star Lady GaGa on her hit number ‘Just Dance’. The thud has rocked several venues around the world and is expected to bring the same excitement to Vietnam.

In a few hours, Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori will hand over the exquisite crown to her successor. The Top 15 finalists will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown, and interview during the broadcast. Also, the winner for Best National Costume, as decided by online votes, will be announced. (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

(With inputs from Miss Universe L.P., LLLP.)

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza from Venezuela smiles while answering journalists’ questions during a press conference held after the final of the 57th Miss Universe contest held on July 14, 2008. (AFP Photo/Hoang Dinh Nam)
14 Jul, 2008.


Hey Grey! Why are you talking about racist results? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN VENEZUELA? OR IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN LATIN AMERICA?…NO I DON`T THINK SO, because in Venezuela, for example, is one of the countries where there is more racial mixing and the same history is in the rest of latin america, even more than in the E.E.U.U.
In those countries, they dont pay attention to the color of your skin.
In fact, the New Miss Universe, is not a “white” person either a Black, she is mixed.
And let me remind you, there have been over time many winners of this competition, which were from Asia and Africa, including the Miss Universe 2007 that was from japan. Only to remind BY If you had some problems with your memory
What if you should think is that Latin women are beautiful, This was shown last night, in the table of honor, 4 of 5 girls were Latinas, don`t you think?

MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA -10

Odds to Win the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant

Odds to win the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant featured all the usual suspects among the favorites. Nearly every year, Miss Venezuela ranks as the one to beat and this year is no different as Miss Venezuela comes in with +625 odds as the favorite and one that promises a $625 payout for every $100 bet at BetCRIS.com.

Miss Puerto Rico is another regular that this year ranks as the second favorite with +750 odds (a $100 bet would pay out $750).

This year's Miss Panama was listed with +900 odds as was Miss USA. Miss Columbia had odds of +1000 while Miss Czech Republic and Miss India came in with odds of +1100 followed by Miss Mexico at +1200 odds. A new entry among the top 10 favorites was Miss Belgium at +1200 odds.

The highest ranking from the continent of Africa was Miss South Africa at +1800 followed by Miss Nigeria at +3300 odds.

Miss Japan, meanwhile, was a huge +8000 underdog as was last year's Miss Japan, who ultimately won Miss Universe 2007 to become one of the biggest winning underdog bets of all time.

Odds to win the 2008 Miss Universe Contest were courtesy of BetCRIS.com

31351 MISS VENEZUELA +625 - -

31352 MISS PUERTO RICO +750 - -

31353 MISS PANAMA +900 - -

31354 MISS USA +900 - -

31355 MISS COLOMBIA +1000 - -

31356 MISS CZECH REPUBLIC +1100 - -

31357 MISS MEXICO +1200 - -

31358 MISS BELGIUM +1200 - -

31359 MISS INDIA +1100 - -

31360 MISS IRELAND +1400 - -

31361 MISS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC +1700 - -

31362 MISS GREECE +1800 - -

31363 MISS KOSOVO +2000 - -

31364 MISS NORWAY +2000 - -

31365 MISS SOUTH AFRICA +1800 - -

31366 MISS AUSTRALIA +2200 - -

31367 MISS COSTA RICA +2400 - -

31368 MISS KAZAKHSTAN +2500 - -

31369 MISS UKRAINE +2200 - -

31370 MISS ALBANIA +2500 - -

31371 MISS CROATIA +3000 - -

31372 MISS FRANCE +3300 - -

31373 MISS NICARAGUA +3000 - -

31374 MISS NIGERIA +3300 - -

31375 MISS SPAIN +3300 - -

31376 MISS BRAZIL +3300 - -

31377 MISS ECUADOR +3500 - -

31378 MISS PARAGUAY +3500 - -

31379 MISS RUSSIA +3300 - -

31380 MISS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO +3500 - -

31381 MISS VIETNAM +2200 - -

31382 MISS GEORGIA +3800 - -

31383 MISS HONDURAS +4500 - -

31384 MISS INDONESIA +4500 - -

31385 MISS MAURITIUS +4500 - -

31386 MISS MONTENEGRO +4500 - -

31387 MISS SERBIA +4500 - -

31388 MISS THAILAND +4500 - -

31389 MISS ARUBA +3500 - -

31390 MISS CANADA +3000 - -

31391 MISS KOREA +4500 - -

31392 MISS PHILIPPINES +4500 - -

31393 MISS SLOVAK REPUBLIC +5000 - -

31394 MISS URUGUAY +5000 - -

31395 MISS CHINA +5500 - -

31396 MISS GUAM +6000 - -

31397 MISS HUNGARY +6600 - -

31398 MISS ISRAEL +6600 - -

31399 MISS PERU +6600 - -

31400 MISS SINGAPORE +6600 - -

31401 MISS SLOVENIA +6600 - -

31402 MISS UNITED KINGDOM +7500 - -

31403 MISS ANGOLA +8000 - -

31404 MISS ARGENTINA +8000 - -

31405 MISS BAHAMAS +8000 - -

31406 MISS BOLIVIA +8000 - -

31407 MISS EGYPT +9000 - -

31408 MISS FINLAND +6600 - -

31409 MISS GERMANY +3300 - -

31410 MISS GHANA +8000 - -

31411 MISS ITALY +3300 - -

31412 MISS JAMAICA +7000 - -

31413 MISS JAPAN +8000 - -

31414 MISS NETHERLANDS +3300 - -

31415 MISS NEW ZEALAND +4500 - -

31416 MISS POLAND +6600 - -

31417 MISS ANTIGUA & BARBUDA +8000 - -

31418 MISS DENMARK +7700 - -

31419 MISS ESTONIA +6600 - -

31420 MISS SWITZERLAND +8000 - -

31421 MISS CAYMAN ISLANDS +8000 - -

31422 MISS CURACAO +8000 - -

31423 MISS CYPRUS +9000 - -

31424 MISS EL SALVADOR +8000 - -

31425 MISS GUATEMALA +6600 - -

31426 MISS MALAYSIA +7000 - -

31427 MISS TURKEY +7000 - -

31428 MISS TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS +7000 - -

31429 MISS SRI LANKA +8000 - -

31430 MISS TANZANIA +9000

MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 9

Good morning Vietnam! in Vietnamese language received a lot of big hands. About 1 billion people around the world will be touching while watching program (live air and/or via NBC) by a new Vietnam country which is close to all global viewers. Each contestant in national costume was introduced on the screen. Miss Vietnam Thuy Lam came last and received a lot of big hands by supporters. National flags were waved by fans. The biggest host national flag was stretched by audiences. The hall was full of Vietnam! Vietnam shouting, which was something like a football match.

80 contestants appeared on the stage in red, blue, violet, yellow colored dresses. Two speakers Jerry Springer and Mel B announced the 15 top list including Miss Venezuela, Miss Kosovo, Miss Mexico, Miss Vietnam, Miss South Africa, Miss Australia, Miss Japan, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Italy, Miss Columbia, Miss Russia, Miss Hungary, Miss Czech Republic, Miss America and Miss Portugal.

The judging panel for the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant included: fashion designer and entrepreneur Roberto Cavalli, Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins (Australian), Donald Trump Jr., Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization, Nadine Velazquez, international cover girl and star of NBC, Louis Licari – hair designer, Joe Cinque, President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, Eesha Koppikhar - Bollywood film & TV star, Taryn Rose shoe designer and the only Vietnamese person Mr. Nguyen Cong Khe, Editor in Chief of Thanh Nien newspaper.

The screen displayed a 9 minute-film propagandizing Vietnam country with beautiful landscapes of Hanoi Capital, Ha Long, Hoi An, My Son, Hue, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta which showed a friendly, peaceful, colorful, dynamic and developing Vietnam to all people around the world. With talents of American Director Glenn Weiss, Vietnam country has been so beautiful, poetic and attractive. Ho Chi Minh City will ever been the Pearl of East.

Hit Just Dance by Lady Gaga opened the swimming costume pageant of the top 15. The list of 10 candidates for the final round included Miss Venezuela, Miss Kosovo, Miss Mexico, Miss Australia, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Italy, Miss Columbia, Miss Russia, Miss America and Miss Portugal. The song Magic by Robin Thicke as background music for the gala evening dress pageant. Miss America Crystle Stewart was strongly supported though she slipped. Then speaker Mel B announced the Friendly Award went to Miss El Sanvador Rebeca Moreno. Miss Thailand Gavintra Photijak got the most beautiful national costume award. Top 5: Miss Colombia, Miss Venezuela, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Mexico and Miss Russia.

The interview was so interesting with clever answers of five candidates. Miss Mexico answered: “In my life, I love my family best where I get a lot of things”. Miss Venezuela: “Men always go to the straight point while women choose another way. Women should do like man do as some are not daring to express their thoughts for many reasons”.

Miss Dominican Republic said: “Women need to be stronger in life and cause”. Also answered the question raised by model designer Roberto Cavalli: “What makes women sacrifice?” – That’s family, profession, works and community”. Miss Russia affirmed: “Success of women is children, a good job and happy family”.

Distinguished guests to the coronation: Her Excellency Deputy President of Socialist Republic of Vietnam – Madam Nguyen Thi Doan; Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism – Mr. Le Tien Tho, Party Secretary of Khanh Hoa People’s Committee – Mr. Nguyen Van Tu, Vice Mayor of Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee – Mr. Le Xuan Than, President of the UniCorp – Mrs. Tran Thi Huong and Mr. Nguyen Chan.

MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 8

Opportunities have been shared equally among seven groups of contestants from North and Central America, South America, Africa and the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean. Each group has three preeminent contestants, and 4 for Asia-Pacific and two for South America.



North and Central America has three bright faces: Miss Mexico, Miss Panama and Miss US. After winning the Vinpearl Queen title (Best in Swimwear) on July 2, Miss Mexico has surpassed Miss Venezuela to become the most promising candidate for the Miss Universe 2008 crown.



Miss Venezuela is the second promising face for the Miss Universe 2008 crown. She and Miss Colombia are seen as the two bridge candidates of South America. Coming from a country that is famous for training Misses, Miss Venezuela is one of the most perfect competitors. She impressed audiences in her first days in Vietnam and she has continued to shine with her friendly and her warm smile. She also has been impressive on the stage since she is one of the leading models of Elite. The girl has also given good answers in interviews with the media.



Miss Venezuela



For competitors from the Caribbean, Miss Puerto Rico seems to be brighter than Miss Trinidad & Tobago, who is also considered as an outstanding contestant from the Caribbean, in both experience and appearance. She always stirs up the atmosphere with her dances and songs.



In the Western and Eastern European groups, outstanding contestants are at the same level, including Miss Norway, Miss Belgium, Miss Ireland, Miss Czech Republic and Miss Russia.



Of the three bright faces from Africa and the Middle East, namely Miss South Africa, Miss Israel and Miss Angola, Miss South Africa and Miss Israel are superior.



Of the four top faces from Asia-Pacific – Miss Australia, Miss India, Miss Thailand and Miss Vietnam – Miss Vietnam seems to be exhausted in the final stage after being squeezed dry in warm-up activities. She has been absent from some charity and side-line activities for health reasons.

MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 7

History
Logo of the Miss Universe event.
Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007

The winner of the "Miss America 1951" pageant, Yolande Betbeze, refused to pose in a swimsuit from its major sponsor, Catalina swimwear. As a result, the brand's manufacturer Pacific Mills withdrew from Miss America and set up the Miss USA and Miss Universe contests. The first Miss Universe Pageant was held in Long Beach, California in 1952. It was won by Armi Kuusela from Finland, who gave up her title to get married to a Filipino tycoon, Virgilio Hilario, shortly before her year was complete. Until 1958 the Miss Universe title (like Miss America) was post-dated, so at the time Ms. Kuusela's title was Miss Universe 1953.

The pageant was first televised in 1955. CBS began nationally broadcasting the combined Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1960 and, separately, from 1965. In 2003 NBC took over the television rights.

The main pageant was held consecutively in the continental US from 1952 to 1971. Since then, the pageant has been held in locales around the world.

[edit] Competition formats

In the early years of the pageant, the delegates who made the cut were announced after the preliminary competition. From 1965 to the present day, the semi-finalists were not announced until the night of the main event. The semi-finalists once again competed in evening gown and swimsuit and a top 5 were announced. An interview portion was introduced in 1960 to decide the runners-up and winner.

From 1959 to 1964, there were slight format changes. In 1959 through 1963, there was no cut to 5 finalists; the runners-up and winners were called from the assembled 15 semi-finalists. In 1964, the top 15 became a top 10, and after a round of interview, the winner and runners-up were called from the 10 finalists.

In 1965, the pageant returned to the original format of a cut to 5 finalists, and remained so until 1989.

In 1969, a final question was posed to the last five contestants. The final question was an on-and-off feature of the pageant. In 1990, it had taken root and every pageant since, the final contestants have to answer a final question.

In 1990, the pageant implemented major format changes in the competition itself. Instead of five finalists, the field was reduced from 10 semi-finalists to 6. Each contestant then randomly selected a judge and answered the question posed by the judge. After that, the field was narrowed down further to a final 3. In 1998, the number of finalists was reduced to 5, although there still was a cut to a final 3. This continued to 2001, where the final 5 format was re-instated.

In 2000, the interview portion of the semi-finals was quietly dropped and the contestants once again, as in the early days of the pageant, competed only in swimsuit and gowns.

In 2003, the Top 15 was again selected instead of the Top 10. Cuts were made to make the Top 10, and eventually the Top 5. The final question varied, each coming from the final delegates themselves and the current Miss Universe.

In 2006, twenty semi-finalists were announced, with these delegates competing in the swimsuit competition. The number of competing delegates was then cut to ten, with those delegates competing in the evening gown competition. After that round of competition, the final five were announced, with the finalists competing in the "final question" or interview round. At the end of competition the runners-up were announced and the winner crowned by the outgoing queen.

In 2007 the format changed slightly with the top 15 moving to the swimsuit competition; from there, 10 selected contestants moved on to the evening gown competition where half were eliminated. The final five answered the final question to decide the ultimate winner.

[edit] The contest today
Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006
Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005

The Miss Universe Organization, a New York-based partnership between NBC and Donald Trump, has run the contest since June 20, 2002. The current president is Paula Shugart. The Organization sells television rights to the pageant in other countries, and also produces the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA contests with the winner of Miss USA representing the USA in Miss Universe.

[edit] Candidate selection

Each year, bids are received by the Miss Universe organizers from organizations who wish to select the Miss Universe contestant for a country. This allows competition between different pageants to hold a country's license, as happened for Miss Italy and Miss France for example, when the licenses for their respective traditional organizations were revoked (the usual Miss France competition returned in 2004).

Usually a country's candidate selection involves pageants in major cities, with the winners competing in a national pageant, but this does not always occur. For example, in 2000 Australia's national pageant was abolished as a relic of a bygone era, with Australian delegates instead chosen by a modeling agency. Such "castings" are generally discouraged by the Miss Universe Organization, which prefers national pageants that preserve an aura of respectability and competition. Despite being "cast", Miss Australia, Jennifer Hawkins, was chosen as Miss Universe 2004. Later that year, Australia resumed its national pageant and chose Michelle Guy as Miss Universe Australia 2005.

Some of the most successful national pageants in the last decade have been Venezuela, USA, Puerto Rico, India, Mexico, and etc which command consistently high interest and television ratings in their respective countries.[6]Recent arrivals in the pageant include China (2002), Albania (2002), Vietnam (2004), Georgia (2004), Ethiopia (2004), Latvia (2005), Kazakhstan (2006), Tanzania (2007) and Kosovo (2008); there have also been efforts to revive strong national pageants in South Africa, Canada, Spain, Japan, Colombia; South America and the Caribbean, among other regions.

There are continually efforts to expand the pageant, but the participation of some countries such as Indonesia and Algeria has proven difficult due to cultural barriers to the swimsuit competition, while others such as Mozambique, Armenia and Nepal have balked at sending representatives due to the cost (in fact, of all the major international pageants, the franchise fee for Miss Universe is the most expensive). As of 2007, only four countries have been present at every Miss Universe since its inception in 1952: Canada, France, Germany, and the United States. Many European countries allow 17-year-old contestants to compete in their pageants, while Miss Universe's minimum age is 18, so national titleholders often have to be replaced by their runners-up. Miss Universe also prohibits transsexual applicants and age fabrication.

[edit] Main pageant
Jennifer Hawkins, Miss Universe 2004

The main Miss Universe Pageant, as of now, is held over a two week period in May and July. In the 1970s through the 1990s, the pageant was a month long. This allowed time for rehearsals, appearances, and the preliminary competition, with the winner being crowned by the previous year's titleholder during the final competition.

According to the organizers, the Miss Universe contest is more than a beauty pageant: women aspiring to become Miss Universe must be intelligent, well-mannered, and cultured. Often a candidate has lost because she did not have a good answer during the question responses rounds; although this section of competition has held less importance during recent pageants than it did in the twentieth century. Delegates also participate in swimsuit and evening gown competitions.

Currently, the final placement of the finalists is determined by a ranked vote, where each judge ranks each of the final three/five candidates, with the contestant posting the lowest cumulative score becoming the winner. If there is a tie, which often happens when there are even members of the jury, the higher semifinal scores become decisive.

The winner is assigned a one-year contract with the Miss Universe Organization, going overseas to spread messages about the control of diseases, peace, and public awareness of AIDS. Since Donald Trump took over the pageant, the winner has been given the use of a Trump Tower apartment in New York City for use during her reign.

Aside from the main winner and her runners-up, special awards are also awarded to the winners of the best National Costume, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Congeniality. Miss Congeniality is chosen by the delegates themselves. In recent years, Miss Photogenic has been chosen by popular internet vote (the winner used to be chosen by media personnel covering the event).

[edit] Final judgment

The competition for the Miss Universe title has seen many changes, although there have been several constants throughout its history. All the contestants compete in a preliminary round of judging (nowadays called the "Presentation Show") where the field is narrowed to a select number of semi-finalists. This number has fluctuated over the years. The very first Miss Universe pageant had ten semi-finalists. The next two years, the number of semi-finalists grew to 16. In 1955, the number dropped to a stable 15, which remained through 1970. In 1971, the number was reduced to 12. That number was further reduced to a mere 10 in 1984. This lasted until 2003, when the number of 15 was re-instated. In 2006, there were 20 semi-finalists, the highest number ever. In 2007, the Organization announced the Top 15 system will be back, which is also used in 2008.

In the early years, the contestants were judged in swimsuit and evening gown only. In later years, the contestants also competed in a preliminary interview round in a one-on-one meeting with each individual judge.

In 2007, 77 contestants started the competition; the top 15 moving to the swimsuit competition. From there, 10 were selected for the evening gown competition which halved the contenders to 5. These final five then answered a final question to decide the winner.

[edit] Crown

The Miss Universe crown used from 2002-2007 was designed by Mikimoto, the official jewellery sponsor of the Miss Universe Organization, and depicted the phoenix rising, signifying status, power and beauty. The crown has 500 diamonds of almost 30 carats (6.0 g), 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in size from 3 to 18mm diameter and is valued at $250,000. The Crown was designed specifically for the pageant on Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan with the Mikimoto crown and tiara being first used for Miss Universe 2002.[7]

For Miss Universe 2008 a new crown was unveiled. Valued at $120 thousand dollars, it is made of 18K white and yellow gold. It is composed of over 1,000 precious stones; including 555 white diamonds (30 carats), 375 cognac diamonds (14 carats), 10 smoky quartz crystals (20 carats) and 19 morganite gemstones (60 carats). The colors of the jewels chosen for the crown have great significance. The yellow luster of the gold represents the prosperous thriving economy in Vietnam. White, light pink and cognac are the main hues in the crown which represent inspiration and feeling. Each piece of the crown was designed to represent an important attribute of the Miss Universe Pageant. The curves of inlaid precious stones represent the strong development and potential of each country. The image of the crane (Lac Bird) symbolizes Vietnamese spirit and culture. The image of the heart represents unified breath, rhythm and vision, which are powerful internal forces that stress faith, hope and unity. But this Vietnamese crown will only be used in the 57th edition of Miss Universe Pageant and the Mikimoto crown will return in 2009.[8]

MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 6

WHO WILL BE MISS UNIVERSE 2008??

by Henrique Fontes

One month ago, when Global Beauties entered its 10th straight year covering the Miss Universe pageant (10 years, it's unbelievable!), the answer to the question of who would become Miss Universe 2008 seemed obvious: Miss Venezuela, Diana Mendoza, one of the most stunning women probably ever seen in the Miss Universe competition. However, if there's something we should have learned after a decade covering local, national and international beauty pageants, is that beauty alone does not make a winner. It's all about that so-called 'whole package', something very difficult to conceptualize, but which, in the end, decides the beauty game.

Speaking of beauty, and beauty alone, Miss Venezuela is not the only one to score a perfect 10,0 this year. There's also Miss Mexico, Elisa Najera, another great example of pure physical perfection. As a matter of fact, these two knock-out beauties remained on the top of GB's Pyramid for over three weeks, switching positions every couple of days.

Then there were those candidates who literally saved their best for last, so to speak sexy Panama, doll-faced USA and, above all, the hurricane from Colombia.

When Taliana Vargas won the Miss Colombia title last year, there were many complaints. Based on photos, pageant fans from around the world thought the 1st runner-up, who will compete in Miss International, should've been the winner. Those who actually watched the pageant and paid attention to Tatiana, knew better: Tatiana had been the right choice after all. It was the 'whole package' defeating 'perfect beauty'.

Even if she does not win tomorrow morning, she managed to conquer the Universe's preference, becoming the number 1 favorite for the title. Perhaps that's what that 'complete package' is all about: candidates who not only know they have it, but also know how to play the game.

In addition to those five, five other beauties have high chances of bagging the coveted Miss Universe crown: Australia, a breathtaking beauty who has clearly been following Jennifer Hawkins' steps; India, the most celebrated beauty from her country in recent years; Ireland, whose natural looks and amazing stage presence made many pageant observers think of her as a possibility for the crown in the last few days; Norway and her perfect face and unmatchable personal style; and Thailand, the number one option from the Far East, where the pageant is being held.

Finally, we should not forget, there's Miss Puerto Rico, Ingrid Rivera, a woman loved by some, hated by others, talked about by everybody.

Of course there's always that delicious 'surprise factor' (read Patrick Tripoldi's article "Free Your Mind: Will those “Funky” Girls Ever Breakthrough at Miss Universe?"), girls who come out of 'nowhere' to become semi-finalists, finalists or even to take it all. There has been more than a couple in Miss Universe history.

We must keep in mind though, that becoming Miss Universe means getting a year-long full time job, which makes the Miss Universe pageant a glamorous job interview. Photos, videos, and five-minute chats with the contestants give us no more than a glimpse of what MUO crew have been seeing and taking note for the four weeks. That's the reason why they get to choose 5 of the 15 semi-finalists, those who cause reactions such us: "Oh my God, why her???". Think about it, such choices make sense for those who, in the end, will have to spend a whole year with the chosen one.

In conclusion, ten years traveling the world covering all types of pageants made us realize that, when it comes to beauty contests, the unpredictable is the only thing actually predictable. WE KNOW NOTHING. NOBODY DOES. Global Beauties and other specialized websites and blogs can produce favorites, but never get the results 100% right. And there lies the beauty of this business: yesterday is never like today, and today is never like tomorrow. When it come to beauty pageants, anything can happen.

So who will be Miss Universe 2008? God knows, literally.

Photos: 1) "Mirror, mirror...", Miss Venezuela is a reflection of perfection; 2) Miss Colombia 2008: When the 'whole package' (left) defeated 'perfection'; 3) Surprise factor: in 1969 the world was more stunned by Gloria Diaz election in Miami Beach, than with the man finally stepping on the moon.

* * * *

But just for the fun of it, let's discover who the Miss U 08 favorites produced but pageant-related media vehicles are:

GB's Pyramid: Colombia, Panama, USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Ireland, Australia, Norway, India, Thailand, Serbia, Israel, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and Kosovo;

Bookmaker.com: Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, USA, Colombia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Ireland, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Kosovo, Norway and Australia;

Canbet.com: Venezuela, USA, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, India, Czech Republic, India, Albania, Ireland, Australia, Vietnam, Spain and Norway;

Chilean Charm: Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Belgium, USA, India, Puerto Rico, Panama, Ukraine, Thailand, Brazil, Kosovo, South Africa, Korea;

Misossology.org: Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, India, Panama, Spain, South Africa, USA, Brazil, Norway, Australia, Kosovo, Thailand, Belgium and Puerto Rico;

CriticalBeauty.com: Antigua & Barbuda, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Venezuela;

Pageant Almanac: Norway, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, USA, Puerto Rico, Czech Republic, Mexico, Panama, Israel, Colombia, South Africa, Uruguay, Slovak Republic, Australia, Japan;

Beauty School: USA, India, Switzerland, Antigua & Barbuda, France, Jamaica, Norway, Ukraine, Tanzania, Hungary, Panama, Mexico, Thailand, Spain;

As our dear friend and self-declared missologist William Prendiz would say, "Long live the Miss Universe spirit!".

Best of luck to all!

MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 5

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
I enjoy spending time with charity organization and introducing my friends and family to these organizations. I am interested in traveling the world and would love to be given the opportunity to learn and experience various cultures and traditions. I enjoy going on safaris, bungee jumping, sky diving, white river rafting and my beautiful country offers all of the above.

What is your career ambition?
I want to complete a degree in branding, then launch my own fashion label. After launching my fashion label, I want to open a modeling school with an events side to it. My passion is to open a dance school for disadvantaged children.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment?
Being from a coloured community people do not expect you to succeed, or accomplish anything. I believe I have shown them that it can be done and that you should be proud of your roots and background.

MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 4

The new Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, was once kidnapped in her homeland and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.

Tension got under the skin of Miss USA, Crystle Stewart of Texas, who tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown as she made her entrance.

During the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on YouTube, where the video was shown over and over again.

At a news conference after this year’s event, a beaming Mendoza said she wasn’t yet sure where her upcoming year of whirlwind appearances would take her. But after a quick stop in New York, she wants to see her family again, enjoy some of her mom’s home cooking and give everyone hugs.

“When I go back to Venezuela I will jump on my family and they will jump on me,” said Mendoza.

In the meantime, Mendoza said, she is simply looking forward to taking off her high-heeled shoes and massaging her feet.

She declined to discuss her kidnapping, which occurred a year and a half ago, but took advantage of the occasion to call for global peace.

“I want to raise my voice and tell the world that violence is not the answer,” she said.

Mendoza, 22, is a 5-foot, 10-inch (178-centimeter), green-eyed beauty who enjoys learning languages and photography. She appeared at the news conference in the flowing yellow dress and dangling turquoise earrings that she wore during the evening gown competition in which Stewart took her spill.

Stewart, 26, is a motivational speaker and former track and field star who is working on a book called “Waiting to Win.” The Houston native plans to open a character-development school for young children and has worked with students with autism in the Texas schools.

During a weekend interview with the Associated Press, Stewart said she felt very confident going into the show and couldn’t imagine experiencing the same calamity as her predecessor.

“All I can offer to the world and to America is to do my best,” Stewart said. “Nerves don’t play a part in this.”

The final five contestants included four from Latin America: Miss Mexico, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Colombia and Miss Venezuela. Rounding out the final five was Miss Russia.

Miss Colombia finished second behind Mendoza.

Miss Thailand won the prize for best national costume and Miss El Salvador was chosen by her peers as Miss Congeniality.

The NBC show was hosted by talk show star Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown and broadcast live to hundreds of millions of viewers in 170 countries.

The tuxedoed Springer made a grand entrance on a motorbike - the vehicle of choice in Vietnam, where the streets are teeming with millions of the speeding two-wheelers.

Eighty contestants gathered in the seaside city of Nha Trang, Vietnam, vying to succeed previous Miss Universe Riyo Mori of Japan.

Sporting yellow, green and orange bikinis, the 15 semifinalists strutted across the stage during the swimsuit competition to the sounds of Lady Gaga, who belted out the pulsating “Just Dance” in a platinum blond wig. Miss Vietnam, Lam Thuy Nguyen, was greeted with a roar from the Vietnamese audience.

The final 10 then competed in the evening gown event.

They performed in front of a panel of judges that included international fashion experts and Donald Trump Jr., whose father, the real estate magnate and TV star, co-owns the pageant with NBC.

This year’s contestants spanned a wide range of experiences and aspirations.

Miss Albania was a professional basketball player. Miss Argentina says she has paranormal experiences. Miss Antigua & Barbuda is fascinated by snakes. Miss Angola was in a plane crash while trying to escape a conflict during her country’s civil war.

MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 3

The Latin beauties made a never before seen impact in the Miss Universe pageant, placing four Hispanic girls among the five finalists. The question round would decide who would be the winner. Taliana Vargas (Colombia) noted that her family has been the key to her happiness and that there’s no moment in her past that she would change.

Marianne Cruz González (Dominican Republic) confided that one her biggest sacrifices were that "since I was very young, when my parents divorced, I've had to work. It's quite difficult to stop doing kids stuff. And everything that I've sacrificed is worth it because I see my mother here crying for me". Designer Roberto Cavalli asked Elisa Nájera (Mexico) when a woman feels completely satisfied, to which she answered: "When there's balance in her life, when there's a balance between mind and soul. It's important to find a balance between your community and your work". The question round ended after Vera Krasova (Russia), indicated that she didn't feel that today's women are still discriminated.

The opening of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant was as many before it: all the contestants performing a simple choreography, this time permeated by Asian elements, honoring the city hosting this year, Nha Trang in Vietnam. Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown were the hosts of the evening and quickly proceeded to individually present each of the 80 candidates in their regional gowns. Equally predictable was the video highlighting the reign of Japan's Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007, who looked flawless.

15 Semi-Finalists

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The parade of international beauties marked the quick pacing of the show, trying to avoid the trend of many pageants ago, which ran for over three hours. It wasn't even half hour into the show when the 15 semi-finalists were named: Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Elisa Nájera (Mexico), Marianne Cruz González (Dominican Republic), Taliana Vargas (Colombia), Claudia Moro (Spain), Zana Krasniqi (Kosovo), Lam Thy Nguyen (Vietnam), Tansey Coetzee (South Africa), Laura Dundovic (Australia), Hiroko Mima (Japan), Claudia Ferraris (Italy), Vera Krasova (Russia), Jazmin Dammak (Hungry), Eliska Buckova (Checz Republic) and Crystle Stewart (USA). The international juror was formed by Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, Puerto Rican actress Nadine Velazquez, stylist Louis Licari, Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins and makeover expert John Nguyen.

Bikinis

During the swimsuit competition, the Latinas were also the highlights, earning top marks and receiving grades above 9. With Lady Gaga performing on stage with them, the finalists that had the highest scores were Miss Colombia with 9.433; Miss Venezuela with 9.327; Miss Spain had 9.150; Miss Mexico (who had won a preliminary swimsuit competition), with 9.071 and Miss Dominican Republic had 8.983. Miss USA, Crystle Stewart, also placed in this exclusive group with a score of 9.207. They all made it to the Top 10, along Kosovo, Australia, Russia and Italy.

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The déjà-vu of the pageant occurred when Miss USA fell during the night gown competition, just as it happened to last year’s contestant, Rachel Smith, during the 2007 Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico City. Crystle Stewart quickly stood up, applauded along with the audience and with a smile, continued to model as it nothing had happened. Some of the candidates had some interesting dress choices, such as Dominican Republic, wearing a tight gown adorned with crystals, Miss Mexico, with a white skirt and a see-through top that looked like a bra and Miss Colombia, with an interesting metallic design that was highly praised.

Other remarkable mentions are the winners of Miss Congeniality, an honor rewarded to yet another Latina: Miss El Salvador, Rebeca Moreno. And finally, the winner of the best regional gown was given to Miss Thailand, Gavintra Photijak.

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MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 2

****The pageant is over, go here to see photos of the winner.****

****Another Update! Check out live video of each contestant showing off their swimsuit.****

****Update -Judges have now been selected, click here to see who they are****

Okay so beauty pageants are far from being considered a sport but they offer two very important things that the male sports fan can appreciate. Hot women and betting. Miss Universe 2008 will take place in Nha Trang, Vietnam at the Crown Convention Center on July 14. That gives you all a few weeks to study the competition, study some more and finally make a well thought out pick.

To make it easier we are going to provide the odds, some photos of the top contenders and give you a chance to vote on who will win. Put your work down, make sure the boss is not lurking and take some time weighing in on who will be the hottest Miss in the whole Universe.

The Miss Universe 2008 Pageant Organizing Board and UniCorp have recently announced the application of High Definition Live Television technology to broadcasting images of the Miss Universe 2008 Pageant to over 170 countries.


MUO and NBC experts (United States) will coordinate with the International Telecommunications Center (ITC) to install necessary broadcasting equipment and satellite truck; accordingly, the satellite-based broadcasting system will deliver the telecast signals to the orbit-fixed satellite.

Previously on May 15, 2008, the Organizing Board and ITC coordinated with MUO and NBC experts to conduct the testing and collect satellite orbit parameters for the best broadcasting to other countries.

At the same time, the Organizing Board will also use the Standard Definition (SD) Broadcasting Technique to serve countries with SD television systems in a bid to deliver the best Images of vietnam to the world.

Nguyen Quoc Toan, CEO of UniCorp and Vice Head of Miss Universe 2008 Contest Organizing Board, said, “To apply the HD Live Television System is a great effort of the Organizing Board in a bid to deliver the images of a vivid and dynamic Vietnam to other countries in the world. The Organizing Board is completely confident in the expertise of technicians who operate the systems.”

Vietnam’s biggest 125m2 LED display and light and sound systems from the United States and Europe have been ready

In preparation for the Pageant, the Organizing Board will import world-standard light and sound systems from the United States and Europe for use in the Crown Convention Center for the Final Show on July 14, 2008. The whole systems will be imported as of June 5 and ready for installation as of June 29, right after the stage decoration space is available.

(Source: GB)

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MISS UNIVERSE 2008 AFRICA - 1

Tansey Coetzee is the 23-year-old Miss Universe South Africa 2008.

Age: 23
Occupation: Professional model
Height: 5′9″
tansey coetzee miss universe south africa 2008

Tansey Coetzee is the 23-year-old Miss Universe South Africa 2008 candidate from Johannesburg. Tansey, the winner of the Miss South Africa 2007 contest, was crowned by Miss South Africa 2006, Megan Coleman.

The first princess of the Miss South Africa contest was Avumile Qongqo of Queenstown, and the second princess was Manisha Pillay of Kwa Zulu Natal.

At the Miss South Africa pageant, Coetzee wore an evening gown designed by South African designer Gerrit Pienaar.

The 2007 Miss Universe contest was the 50th year of the Miss Universe pageant.

Tansey Coetzee is a professional dancer, who has studied at the former Allen Glen High School. Tansey has completed her BA in Corporate Communications in 2003, at the former Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), now the University of Johannesburg.

Tansey is the winner of many titles, such as Miss Tinkerbell Sandton, Miss Allen Glen High School, Miss Eastgate Face of Fashion and Miss South Africa Unity.
tansey coetzee miss south africa 2007 bikini
Tansey enjoys outdoor activities like safaris, bunjee jumping, sky diving, and white river rafting. She also likes working with charity organizations and popularizing them.

Tansey says she wants to complete a degree in branding, and launch her own fashion label. She also wants to open a modeling school and a dance school for disadvantaged children.

Tansey is 5′9″ tall and has black hair and brown eyes.