Monday, August 31, 2009

Stefania Fernandez Crowned Miss Universe

Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez has been crowned the new Miss Universe at a glitterati event that took place at Atlantis on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, on August 23. The new Miss Universe was selected from among young women from 83 countries.
The official decision was made at the Atlantis Resort by a 12-person judging panel that included Andre Leon Talley, the editor-at-large for American Vogue, actor Dean Cain and supermodel Valeria Mazza. Fernandez will receive a monetary prize, the size of which has been kept confidential.
The top award also includes a 100,000-dollar scholarship to study acting at an academy in New York, a five-day vacation package in the Bahamas for two, a set of jewellery and a complete wardrobe.
The main event was hosted by Celebrity Apprentice star Claudia Jordan and Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush, and included performances by rapper Flo Rida, singers David Guetta and Kelly Rowland and reality star Heidi Montag.
It was Venezuela's sixth Miss Universe crown in the 59-year history of the
pageant.
Fernandez, 18, inherited the Miss Universe crown from another Venezuelan,
Dayana Mendoza, who won the competition in 2008. During her reign, Mendoza
travelled around the globe as an advocate for HIV/Aids education, research and
legislation. The newly crowned Miss Universe is expected to do the same.
Two other young women from Latin America made it to the top five: Ada de la Cruz, 23, of the Dominican Republic and Mayra Matos, 20, of Puerto Rico.
The top group also included young women from Australia and Kosovo.

“The main attraction for contestants is an opportunity to break into and establish themselves in the lucrative world of show business,” organisers said.
"Women who seek the title of Miss Universe are driven by their desires to open for themselves new opportunities in the world of acting and entertainment," Acirema Alayeto, president of Miss Latin America Organisation, said.
The competition included the swimsuit presentation in Grand Bahama, a costume presentation, a fashion showcase featuring local designs and fabrics and a state auction dinner in New Providence.
The pageant was viewed by an estimated worldwide viewing audience of approximately one billion people.

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