NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In front of a worldwide audience of approximately one billion viewers, Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, was announced Miss Universe 2011 live from Credicard Hall in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The 60th Annual “MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant” was broadcast live on both NBC and Telemundo.
Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, has loved pageants since she was a little girl and enjoys reading and cosmetics. The 25 year-old from Benguela, Angola is the first winner from her country.
Andy Cohen, host of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens: Live,” and Natalie Morales, news anchor of NBC’s “Today” hosted the “2011 MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant.” Style Network’s “How Do I Look” Jeannie Mai and Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessy provided skybox fashion commentary throughout the LIVE telecast. Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Bebel Gilberto, and Brazilian native pop singer Claudia Leitte performed.
The judges who sealed the fate of this year’s winner included: Helios Castroneves, Three-time Winner of the Indianapolis 500; Connie Chung, U.S. Broadcast Legend; Isabeli Fontana, Brazilian Supermodel; Vivica Fox, Actress & Television Producer; Adrienne Maloof, from Bravo’s hit series “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”; Lea Salonga, Tony Award Winner and Actress; Farouk Shami, Founder and Chairman of Farouk Systems; Amelia Vega, Miss Universe 2003; and Italo Zanzi, Deputy General Secretary of CONCACAF.
Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from nearly 90 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview. Miss Universe 2010, Ximena Navarrete, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast.
Final Results:
First Runner-Up: Miss Ukraine, Olesia Stefanko will assume the duties of Miss Universe 2011 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.
Second Runner-Up: Miss Brazil, Priscila Machado.
Rest of Top Five: Miss Philippines, Shamcey Supsup; and Miss China, ZiLin Luo.
Rest of Top Ten: Miss Australia, Scherri-Lee Biggs (6); Miss Costa Rica, Johanna Solano (7); Miss France, Laury Thilleman (8); Miss Panama, Sheldry Saez (9); and Miss Portugal, Laura Goncalves (10).
Rest of Top Sixteen: Miss Kosovo, Aferdita Dreshaj (11); Miss Colombia, Catalina Robayo (12); Miss Puerto Rico, Viviana Ortiz (13); Miss Netherlands, Kelly Weekers (14); Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella (15); and Miss Venezuela, Vanessa Goncalves (16).
A preliminary panel of judges was in charge of choosing 9 of the 16 Semi Finalists. They were: Miss Angola, Miss Australia, Miss China, Miss Costa Rica, Miss France, Miss Philippines, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Ukraine and Miss Venezuela;
While the Miss Universe Organization was in charge of selecting 6 of these ladies. They were: Miss Brazil, Miss Colombia, Miss Kosovo, Miss Netherlands, Miss Panama and Miss USA.
One lucky contestant, Miss Portugal, earned an automatic spot in the semifinals thanks to her fans who voted for her in the first-ever Miss Universe global fan vote.
Miss Photogenic Universe™ Award: Miss Sweden, Ronnia Fornstedt. The General public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from pageant sponsor Diamond Nexus Labs.
Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss Montenegro, Nikolina Loncar. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from Diamond Nexus Labs.
The Miss Universe® 2011 prize package includes: a year's supply of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; a custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus; a shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry; eveningwear wardrobe by Sherri Hill; a year's supply of nail care products from OPI Products, Inc.; sun care products from Australian Gold; a one-year scholarship (including housing) from the New York Film Academy; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a year-long salary as Miss Universe; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon; modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various New York City events including movie premiers and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; year-long consultation with a fashion stylist; and access to a personal appearance wardrobe.
About MISS UNIVERSE
The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBCUniversal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. The organization is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health issues. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com.
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SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization
