Miss Universe is Miss Venezuela

In the picture: Miss Venezuela Stefanía Fernández is named Miss Universe 2009, while also Venezuelan Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza watch as the (new Diamond Nexus Lab) crown falls from her head during the final telecast. The pageant was held at Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas on Sunday 28 August 2009.

This is the first time in MU history that the winner is crowned by a preceding tittle holder of the same country. Venezuela's win this year is certainly a surprise, not only due to the "back-to-back" factor, but also because this girl wasn't particularly a favorite or front-runner for many. Surely, her confidence and personality carried her away and made her shine -- her final answer wasn't exactly brilliant, but very honest and true in self-reliance.

The Dominican Rep. came 1st runner-up, while Kosovo, 2nd. Another favorite, Australia, came 3rd, rounding up the final 5 with Puerto Rico. Completing the Top 10 were: France, South Africa, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and the USA; Iceland, Belgium, Croatia, Albania and Sweden just made it to the top 15. Even though a massive European turn out, the final roster was made up of the only 3 Latinas that made the cut. FYI: Kosovo is a new country that just became independent from Serbia last year.

For the records, this is Venezuela's 6th MU crown.

Photo credit: Reuters/ Lucas Jackson - Bahamas Society Entertainment
Used only as editorial.

:: Shaken not stirren

Precious moments...

... that is, moments that made this Miss Universe pageant unforgetable... For example, it has been almost 50 years since a Japanese woman won it (Akiko Kojima, 1959). But regardless this fact, I can say that this pageant wins the best butt-fall ever. Just check the picture, as soon as I have the video I´ll post it -- promise!

For the time being, here is Miss Universe 2007: Riyo Mori, a 20-yr old girl who likes to dance, and dressed in an impresive black & purple Japanese-style gown. 1st runner up was Brazil, Natalia Guimaraes; 2nd runner up was Ly Jonaitis of Venezuela and 3rd runner up, Miss Korea, Honey Lee. Rounding up the group, the booed Miss USA, Rachel Smith, wich was the one who "gratiously" slipped and fell during the evening gown segment. Poor thing -- yeah right! Bet you had a good laught too.

Post updated on may 29th, at 11:31; here's the video, as I promised...

Tonight is the night.

Miss Universe is coming to you live from Mexico City at 8PM GMT-5. I should post more on this, but I'm feeling terribly lazy to type.

I'll just say that among the favorites tonight are Japan, Tanzania, Greece, Venezuela (of course), and some people say that some North European, that honestly, I don't see, I don't know, and frankly, I think I can care less.

Don't hurrah for a latina this year: it won't happen. I think the crown (or tiara, whatever) is going to Asia for a change. C'mon, the gringos need to diversify their markets. Asia is a huge one. Asia is so pageant-obsesed, only to equal (surpass?) Puejtogüiqueños and Venezolanos.

Ergo, the Mikimoto is going to Asia. And I stand by that. 100%.

Good luck to Sorangel, Miss Panamá. I hope you at least score in the final 15 :)

*Thanks to Alex Medela for the photo. Visit his space.

Miss Universe 2006

El evento del fin de semana: un reel para el recuerdo.