Miss Venezuela takes pageant crown for sixth time

| 24/08/2009

(CNS): Stefania Fernandez was crowned Miss Universe 2009 on Sunday night, giving her country its sixth ‘tiara’ in the international beauty pageant. Fernandez, an 18-year-old brunette, became the 58th winner of the title in a show broadcast live around the world from the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas. It was the second consecutive year that a contestant from the South American country, which is famous for its beauty queens, won the Miss Universe title. Venezuela has produced five previous winners the most of any country. Fernandez was selected out of five finalists chosen from the total field of 83 contestants. The first runner-up this year was Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de la Cruz.

Miss Australia, the bookie’s favourite, Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Kosovo completed the final line up.

Fernandez received the Miss Universe Crown from last year’s winner, also a Venezuelan, Dayana Mendoza. The beauty pageant saw entries from all over Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, which also faired well with two contestants in the top five.  Asia dominated the side shows with Miss China, Wang Jingyao, named Miss Congeniality and Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej, won Miss Photogenic.

Dressed in a flowing red gown, Fernandez embraced the runner-up as the announcement was made and received the sparkling tiara, which fell to the floor at one point as Fernandez danced in joy. During a question-and-answer segment with the five top finalists, Fernandez said she believed women have overcome obstacles such as hitting the proverbial glass ceiling. "I feel we have reached the level that men are at," she said.

Following pageant tradition, the top 15 finalists appeared in bathing suits before the final 10 were chosen for the evening gown segment. Pageant co-owner Donald Trump told reporters, "I think this is the most beautiful group of women I’ve ever seen."

Despite being in front of her home crowd, Miss Bahamas, Kiara Sherman failed to make the top fifteen. Nicosia Lawson, Miss Cayman Islands was also excluded from the finalists. However, the Caribbean region was widely represented and Miss Dominican Republic and Miss Puerto Rico made it all the way to the final five.

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  1. Mr. Bates says:

    Miss Venezuela has a beautiful mouth….

     

    Well I tell you all something right now Miss Venezuela must had only won for her beautiful mouth and smile because all the other contestants had look way better than her.  Now Miss Venezuela last year was what you would called one of the worlds most beautiful woman, this one this year who just won could never ever compare to her.   

    I know everyone has their own different opinions but I still say that Miss Dominican deserve to had been crown Miss Universe, along with Miss Austrialla.   They need to change those judges they must had all been drunk lol.   

     

     Anonymous I did not know Hugo Chavez of Venezuela own half of Miss Universe, no wonder they choose all spanish women as the top five it has to be some kind of cheating going on money talks.

  2. Anonymous. says:

    Miss Venezuela has a beautiful mouth.

    Unlike the Central and other South American countries, Venezuelan women spent a lot of time perfecting their mouths and smile. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and the right person won the Crown.

    Then again look at how Miss USA was treated by people who should under no circumstances be allowed to Judge anyone.

  3. A.n.o. says:

    I’m tired of USA getting a free ticket to the 15 finalists just because Trump is the owner, so unfair to the rest of the countries.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Mr Bates don’t you know Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has bought out most of the southern hemisphere with Cheap Oil at the moment only Honduras has tried to stop him? I must say Miss DR should have got the Crown however remember who owns the Pageant?

  5. Mr. Bates says:

     Miss Dominican Republic deserve that crown not her, how in the world could she ever come close to Miss Dominician, her answer to the question was not really all that, those judges made me sick they did not know what the hell they were doing, and for crying out loud whoever dress Miss Cayman they should had been fired on the spot!  They could had done much better than that with her costume.   Miss Cayman were beautiful but I just did not like what she was wearing.

    • Anonymous says:

      Mr Bates you are so wrong –  Miss Venezuela answered her question properly and she gave the translator his alott time to transIate her answer in three part she even smiled gave a gesture of relaxation.   This is where the non-speaking english Miss fail.  Also when a woman wears a RED GOWN and RED LIPS STICK she is fully in controlled of her surroundings.  Mr Bates so don’t ever underestimate a woman who loves RED.