Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela has been crowned Miss Universe 2008. The pageant, which started with 80 contestants, was held in the seaside town of Nha Trang, Vietnam today.

The Sydney psychology student survived the swimwear round of 15, and made it through the evening gown section.

Mendoza, 22, is a 5-foot, 10-inch (178-centimeter), green-eyed beauty who enjoys learning languages and photography. She appeared at the news conference in the flowing yellow dress and dangling turquoise earrings that she wore during the evening gown competition in which Stewart took her spill.

For the second year in a row, Miss USA fell down during the evening gown competition. It was a nightmare come true for Miss USA Crystle Stewart, a Texan, who tripped on the train of her bejewelled evening gown as she made her entrance.

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.

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