Miss Universe 2008

Arts and Culture

Miss Universe 2008

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, was crowned Miss Universe 2008 during the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, the first major beauty pageant to be held in Vietnam.

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, waves after Mendoza was crowned as Miss Universe 2008 during the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza reacts to the announcement that she had won the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant.

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, is crowned by Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan.

The new Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela, shows her tears after being crowned.

The new Miss Universe wipes away the tears of joy and flashes a big smile.

Crystle Stewart, Miss USA, poses during the swimsuit segment of the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, telecast in the United States by NBC on Sunday night. It was Monday morning in Vietnam.

Miss USA took a spill during the evening gowns segment of the pageant.

After the spill, Miss USA Crystle Stewart shows her evening gown during the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant.

The five finalists, from left: Tailana Vargas, Miss Colombia; Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela; Marianne Cruz Gonzalez, Miss Dominican Republic; Elisa Najera, Miss Mexico; Vera Krasova, Miss Russia.

Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas was first runner-up. The final five contestants included four from Latin America: Miss Mexico, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Colombia and Miss Venezuela. Rounding out the final five was Miss Russia

Marianne Cruz Gonzalez, Miss Dominican Republic, shows her evening gown.

Elisa Najera, Miss Mexico, shows her evening gown.

Vera Krasova, Miss Russia, shows her evening gown.

Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela shows her winning form in the evening gown competition.

Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela shows her winning form in the swimsuit competition.

Tailana Vargas, Miss Colombia, poses during the swimsuit segment.

Elisa Najera, Miss Mexico poses during the swimsuit segment.

The Miss Universe contestants dance during the swimsuit segment of the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant.

Miss Universe contestants pose on stage during the opening of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, the first major pageant to be held in Vietnam.

Contestants pose on stage during the Miss Universe 2008 pageant.

Miss Universe 2008 contestants during a rehearsal on Saturday. The 57th annual Miss Universe competition was held at the Crown Convention Center.

Jerry Springer, co-host for the Miss Universe 2008 competition, poses during a stage rehearsal in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Springer shared hosting duties with Spice Girl Melanie Brown.

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, center, is surrounded by other contestants after winning the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant.

Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, reacts during a press conference after winning the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant.

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Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, waves after Mendoza was crowned as Miss Universe 2008 during the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

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