Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, 22, won the Miss Universe contest held in Nha Trang City of Viet Nam Monday, contest presenter and US talk show hosts Jerry Springer and Mel B announced in the morning.
After Jerry Springer and Mel B announced the winner at 10 AM from the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan, appeared to crown her successor. The new Miss Universe reacted with tear as she was crowned.
Miss Columbia Taliana Targas, 20, is the first runner-up at the final of the 57th Miss Universe pageant. The second-runner up is Miss Dominican Republic Marianne Cruz, the third-runner up is Miss Russia Vera Krasova, and the fourth-runner up is Miss Mexico Elisa Najera.
The other fives in the top ten are Miss USA Crystle Stewart, Miss Spain Claudia Moro, Miss Kosovo Zana Krasniqi, Miss Australia Laura Dundovic, and Miss Italy Claudia Ferraris. Miss Vietnam Nguyen Thuy Lam went into the top fifteen list, which includes Miss South Africa Tansey Coetzee, Miss Japan Hiroko Mima, Miss Hungary Jazmin Dammak, and Miss Czech Republic Eliska Buckova.
The winner for Best National Costume is Miss Thailand Gavintra Photijak, while Miss El Salvador, Rebecca Moreno is Miss Friendly.
The judges for the beauty pageant are Donald Trump Jr., executive vice president of the Trump Organization, fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, movie star Nadine Velazquez, Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, make-up expert Louis Licari, Eesha Koppikhar, Taryn Rose, Joseph Cinque, and Mr. Nguyen Cong Khe, editor-in-chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper of Viet Nam.
They judged the 15 finalists in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown, and interview during the broadcast.
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