Monday, January 31, 2011

# # Miss Universe 2010: Mexico's Jimena Navarrete is crowned Miss Universe


Mexico's Jimena Navarrete is crowned Miss Universe at the annual beauty pageant from Las Vegas

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

Mexico's Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe Monday night in an upset victory that 'stunned' a pageant world which had predicted a winner to emerge from Ireland, Venezuela or the United States

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

The 22-year-old from Guadalajara, resplendent in a flowing ruby-red evening gown, has been modeling since she was 15, but nothing could quite prepare her for her moment of glory

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

Miss Mexico celebrates with other contestants

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

"I did feel surprised, I just went blank," the brunette beauty said of her crowning achievement. "There was nothing going through my mind. I was in a state of shock"

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

...Navarrete receives a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy, and a year's supply of shoes, dresses and hair products

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

Navarrete's coronation, which earned her a congratulatory message on Twitter from Mexican President Felipe Calderon, ends the reign of outgoing Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela. Had this year's Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson, 21, taken the title, it would have been a three-year sweep for the South American nation

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

But Gibson was ousted in the early going, along with Miss USA Rima Fakih, 24, as the field of 83 was pared down to 15

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

The two-hour finale was devoid of the political drama that has erupted in past years at this event, although there had been potential for controversy when Fakih, the first American Muslim to become Miss USA, disappointed many Islamic leaders on Saturday by saying she opposes construction of a proposed mosque near Ground Zero in New York city

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

Miss Great Britain- Tara Vaitiere Hoyos

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell managed to finish in the top fifteen

Miss Universe 2010 Pageant final at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

Radio personality Chet Buchanan (left) jokes around with Miss Finland, Viivi Pumpanen, during a commercial break