Miss Venezuela Wins Miss Universe 2008

This year's most beautiful woman of the universe aka Miss Universe 2008 is Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza.

The 22-year old beauty won the crown from Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas, Mis Dominican Republic Marianne Cruz Gonzalez, Miss Russia Vera Krasova and Miss Mexico Elisa Najera.

Aside from the beautiful face and lovely body, Dayana Mendoza caught the interest of both the audience and the media, as she revealed that she was once kidnapped in her homeland. According to her, the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure... Hmmm, any other enlightenment Dayana?

Anyway, there are also other interesting scenes from the beauty pageant – the fall of Miss USA for the second time around. Miss USA Crystle Stewart tripped on stage during the evening gown competition, just like her senior Rachel Smith. Some people thought that this act could be intentional but other Miss Universe contestants themselves believed that the fall was really an accident because the poor beauty queen was very pale backstage after the presentation. Well, she may have not win the crown but at the least, Crystle Stewart is expected to become the next YouTube sensation in the coming days.

Mis Venezuela Dayana Mendoza beat 79 other contestants who were gathered in the seaside city of Nha Trang, Vietnam for the Miss Universe 2008 title. She succeeded the throne from last year's Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan.

Japan Crowned Miss Universe 2007

Riyo Mori of Japan was crowned Miss Universe followed by first runner-up Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil, second runner-up Ly Jonaitis of Venezuela, third runner-up Honey Lee of Korea and fourth runner up Rachel Smith of USA.

And as always a protest or two was added to the mix"Hours before the pageant began, dozens of protesters held a mock ceremony in downtown Mexico City that featured "Miss Marijuana," "Miss Sexual Health" and "Miss Human Rights" and other candidates with obscenities written across their sashes. The group yelled "Neither ugly nor beautiful, should a woman be considered an object!"Pageant organizers say the Miss Universe contest carefully selects women who are intelligent, well-mannered and cultured."

The show was hosted by Miss Teen USA 1999 Vanessa Minnillo and Mario Lopez and held In Mexico City.
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