Venezuela captures Miss Universe title second consecutive year

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MISS VENZUELA Stefania Fernandez has captured the 58th title of the prestigious Miss Universe Pageant.

This is the second consecutive year that Venezuela has won the event, which was broadcast live from the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas.

Fernandez, 18 years old, was followed by Miss Dominican Republic Ada Aimee de la Cruz, Miss Kosova Gono Dragusha and Miss Australia Rachel Finch in that order.

Miss China Wang Jingyao was named Miss Congeniality while Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej won the Miss Photogenic award.

Since the inception of the Miss Universe Pageant, Venezuela has won the title on five occasions.

Recording artistes Flo Rida, Kelly Rowland and reality star Heidi Montag performed at the event.

Contestants from more than 80 countries participated, including nine from the Caribbean, and were judged on the Swimsuit, Evening Gown and Interview segments.
 
The Caribbean countries that participated are Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Guyana, Curacao, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks & Caicos and Aruba.

The 2008 Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, crowned her successor.