LOS ANGELES: Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza's reign as the new Miss Universe got off to a rocky start here when the 18-year-old from Puerto Rico fainted briefly after winning the crown.

Ms. Rivera passed out after posing for pictures and taking questions at a news conference after Sunday's show. She was given liquids and quickly recovered. Ms. Rivera, who was wearing a dress made entirely of metal chains, had been standing under hot stage lights for some time in the stifling auditorium when she began to topple over. Someone caught her as she fell.

"She's OK. She's fine," pageant representative Lark Anton said shortly afterward she had passed out. "She got dizzy. It's very hot up here. Her dress is tight as you could see it was beaded and heavy. ... She passed out."

Other winners

The 18-year-old won the title over 85 other contestants. Kurara Chibana of Japan was first runner-up; Lauriane Gillieron of Switzerland was second runner-up; and Lourdes Arevalos of Paraguay was third runner-up. Miss USA Tara Conner finished fourth.

A stunned Ms. Rivera covered her mouth with her hands as she was pronounced the winner. She beamed as last year's titleholder Natalie Glebova placed the crown on her.

"I always had faith and confidence in myself, but I never knew I was going to win," she said, speaking in Spanish from the stage.

The difference

In her pageant biography, Ms. Rivera explained what made her different from the other contestants. "Physically, I have been told by modelling agencies and friends that I represent the consummate Latino look," she said. "Everything in my face expresses our heritage, our music and the wonderful mixes of races that we are." Ms. Rivera is the fifth winner from the U.S. territory in the pageant's 55-year history.

In her spare time, Ms. Rivera said she likes watching the Latino version of the TV programme `American Idol', and meditating. She hopes one day to act in U.S. and Latin American movies. "My biggest goal in life is to become a great actress of infinite range," she said in her pageant biography. "I am a keen observer of the human behaviour, which under my interpretation, is one of the best things an actress can do."

Costumes

Several contestants sported costumes featuring colourful native dress, including feathers, sequins, fur, massive headpieces and, in the case of Miss Japan, a Samurai sword.

Lia Andrea Ramos of Philippines was chosen the most photogenic in an online vote. Angela Asare of Ghana won the congeniality award in a vote by all 86 contestants. Ms. Chibana, who carried the Samurai sword, won the award for best national costume.

The winner travels the world for a year on behalf of charities and pageant sponsors. Rivera's prizes include a yearlong salary, a New York City apartment during her reign, and a modelling contract.

The 55th Miss Universe contest was held at the fabled Shrine Auditorium near downtown Los Angeles. It was a homecoming of sorts. The first Miss Universe pageant was held in Long Beach, California, in 1952.

AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail