Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010, replacing Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, who gave Venezuela a second consecutive win by taking the title at age 18 last year. The South American country has won six titles since the pageant started in 1952.
Miss Philippines, Venus Raj, was heavily applauded after being declared the fourth runner-up in this year's Miss Universe pageant, participated in by 83 contestants from around the world.
Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps was named first runner-up during this year's pageant, hosted by Natalie Morales and Bret Michaels.
Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska, was third runner-up, Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell was second runner-up,
The winners were announced after one final strut across the stage in the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.
Before that, the top five tried their best to impress the panel of celebrity judges in the question and answer portion.
Raj, 22 was asked by judge William Baldwin, "What is one big mistake that you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?"
"Thank you so much, Sir for that wonderful question," she says and then greets the audience, met by wild cheering.
"You know what, Sir in my 22 years of existence I can say that there is nothing major major, I mean, problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So, thank you so much that I am here, thank you thank you so much," she answered.
Raj was almost replaced by Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson after being stripped of her crown and title when organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe pageant found "inconsistencies" on her birth certificate.
Raj was advised by former Ms. Universe Gloria Diaz to let it go. Meanwhile, she found an ally in then Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima
The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. said Raj would be reinstated on the condition that she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport.
"We have reassessed the situation pertaining to Miss Maria Venus Raj and have decided, for humanitarian reasons, that if she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport, we will reinstate her as the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe," said the BCPI.
Raj then obtained a valid Philippine passport from the Department of Foreign Affairs, despite saying she should be reinstated without condition.
On August 4, Raj flew to the United States to represent the Philippines, competing with 82 other beauty queens from Albania to Zambia in a pageantry of swimsuits, evening gowns and quick-thinking interview skills in the their quest to bring home the 2010 Miss Universe crown.
The contest, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, was judged by celebrities including 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek and actress Jane Seymour.
The pageant started as a local bathing revue in Long Beach, Calif., organized by a swimwear company. It now skips over the world; it was held last year in the Bahamas and in Vietnam in 2008. –Carmela Lapeña, VVP, GMANews.TV
They're all look so stunning.... but deeply I cheered Miss Jamaica..the only African who made it on 5 finalists in this pegeant... By the way..Mexico deserved the crown ^^
I appreciated the comment from The founder& chairman from the clip who said to The pageant is not only expresses the beauty but it defines the World peace which even UN cant not gathering 83 countries to live together and shared the every single moment with one another...
Im totally in love this pic...Stefania Miss Universe 2009 brought her national flag up to the stage in the last moment of her duties and has shown a great love to her mother land... ( which I havent seen any previous MU have done like this before...)
Just like wherever you are..whoever you from... Dont forget to express your honesty, your purely love to your homeland.... ^^ I Love my parents and my home land LAOS...The greatest love of all....
I watched the interview section, and Miss Maxico could not even speak in English, now I assume that English is not important, and our Lao girl can participate in this contest as well. What do you think?
I have no idea whether she can speak or not..but English is still more important unless she wanted to make sure about the quiz and her answer as well by using interpreter....
I watched the interview section, and Miss Maxico could not even speak in English, now I assume that English is not important, and our Lao girl can participate in this contest as well. What do you think?
I think it's great idea. but i am afraid that Laos government will never allow Lao girl to wear swimming suit.
By the way..Mexico deserved the crown ^^
