MAIN Art & Culture Pop Culture Miss Universe

Present at the crowning of Miss Universe in 2008 was reigning Miss Universe Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, who became an important part of the ceremonies when a new Miss Universe — Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza — was named at the 57th annual 2008 pageant, held in Diamond Bay Resort in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 13.

Miss USA Takes a Fall - Again

The broadcast on NBC kicked off with the selection of the Top 20 contestants including the current Miss USA, Crystle Stewart, who tripped and fell during the evening gown competition and instantly became a celeb on YouTube!

The accident followed last year's fall by Miss USA Rachel Smith when she fell during the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City.

About Miss Universe

What began in 1952 - as a local bathing beauty competition in Long Beach, CA - has since grown to be a Donald Trump organization showcase that puts the spotlight directly on the world's most beautiful women.

Following the evening gown competition, judges pick the Top 10 who go on to show off their best assets in the traditional and very popular swimsuit competition, from which the Top 5 are chosen... culminating in the crowning of Miss Universe 2008.

On The Web

Check out more information on the universe's most famous beauty pageant in video clips, pictures, interviews and contestant profiles, along with past winners, judges, and bit of related history and trivia at top sites devoted to Miss Universe 2008 ...

Miss Universe 2008 - Check out the pageant's official site with videos, photos, close-up interviews and profiles of all the contestants.

Miss Universe 2008 - NBC.com - The official U.S. network with times & schedule, contestant photos, judges profiles and online voting for best national costume.

Global Beauties.com - Photos of all delegates along with their pick for Most Photogenic, the complete schedule, information on the telecast, and a virtual backstage pass for news tidbits and fun facts leading up to the pageant.

Miss Universe - Wikipedia - The online encyclopedia offering extensive information on the selection process, pageant history, a complete list of winners from 1952 to the present, related links.

Pageant Almanac - Miss Universe - Everything you ever wanted to know including current vital stats and photos, predicted rankings, past winners, along with an archive of Miss Photogenic, Congeniality and swimsuit competition winners, plus past judges, performers, venues and locations.

Pageant News Bureau - Miss Universe - An archive of pageants the recent past including picture galleries, lists of winners, and historic photos.

Also see Miss Earth | Miss World | Miss USA

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue | Victoria's Secret Models

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