|
New York, NY - July 13, 2008 – This evening, during one of the
year's most exciting live international television events, a
star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, as
MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 live from the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang,
Khanh Hoa, Vietnam.
Ms. Mendoza is 22 years-old and her career ambition is to become an
Interior Designer. She also enjoys photography and is interested in
advertising.
The judging panel for the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant included: Donald
Trump Jr., Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization; fashion
designer and entrepreneur Roberto Cavalli; Nadine Velazquez,
international cover girl and star of NBC's "My Name Is Earl"; Jennifer
Hawkins, television presenter and Miss Universe 2004; Louis Licari,
celebrity colorist and "Today Show" ambush makeover expert; Joe Cinque,
President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences; Bollywood
film & TV star, dancer, model Eesha Koppikhar; Nguyen Cong Khe, Editor
in Chief of Thanh Nien newspaper and international shoe designer Taryn
Rose. Jerry Springer and Mel B hosted the telecast of the 57th Annual
Miss Universe competition where Lady GaGa performed her hit "Just
Dance".
Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from 80 countries and
territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit,
evening gown and personality interview. Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007,
crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime
telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 1
billion viewers.
Final Results:
First Runner Up: Miss Colombia, Taliana Vargas; will assume the
duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2008 if the titleholder for some reason cannot
fulfill her responsibilities.
Second Runner Up: Miss Dominican Republic, Marianne Cruz Gonzale.
Rest of Top Five: Miss Mexico, Elisa Najera; and Miss Russia,
Vera Krasova.
Rest of Top Ten: Miss Kosovo, Zana Krasniqi; Miss Australia,
Laura Dundovic; Miss Spain, Claudia Moro; Miss USA, Crystle Stewart; and
Miss Italy, Claudia Ferraris.
Rest of Top Fifteen: Miss Vietnam, Lam Thuy Nguyen; Miss South
Africa, Tansey Coetzee; Miss Japan, Hiroko Mima;; Miss Hungary, Jazmin
Dammak; and Miss Czech Republic, Eliska Buckova.
National Costume Award: Miss Thailand, Gavintra Photijak. The
general public voted on www.nbc.com for the international delegate whose
national costume best reflected her country's culture, originality in
preparation and the delegate's personal demeanor. She received a $1,000
cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.
Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss El Salvador, Rebeca
Moreno. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's
peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and
inspirational participant. She also received a $1,000 cash prize and a
trophy from Rogaska Crystal
The MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 prize package includes: the Miss Universe
tiara created by CAO Fine Jewelry (a division of PNJ) designed by Mrs.
Dang Thi Kim Lien and Rosalina Lydster valued at more than $30,000
dollars; a 2 year scholarship from the New York Film Academy worth more
than $100,000 dollars to its acting or film-making programs; eveningwear
gowns from Scala, designed by Sherri Hill; a national and international
multi-media advertising campaign and a complete denim wardrobe from YMI
Jeanswear; a custom swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand; a shoe
collection from Nina Footwear; a trophy from Rogaska Crystal; year-long
supply of Farouk Systems products, makers of CHI, the original Ceramic
Technology tools; membership to Gravity Fitness and pampering at John
Barrett Salon; fashion portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil
Berisha; consultations with nutritionist and creator of The F-Factor
Diet™ Tanya Zuckerbrot; dermatology and skincare services by Dr. Cheryl
Thellman-Karcher; consultations with personal stylist Billie Causieestko
and access to an event wardrobe from leading fashion designers; a New
York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses
and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization to
further her personal and professional goals.
ABOUT THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION
The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants are a Donald
J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass
roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to
increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health and
reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations
committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on
AIDS, God's Love We Deliver, APICHA and Gay Men's Health Crisis, Miss
Universe is armed to impact women today
|
|
