Stefania Fernandez is Miss Universe

The glamorous Miss Universe pageant for 2009 was held at the magnificent Atlantis Paradise Island resort in Nassau, Bahamas. The beautiful Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela was crowned the new Miss Universe for 2009. Last year’s winner Dayana Mendoza is also from Venezuela. This is the first time that the departing queen has placed the crown on a successor from the same country. See this exciting moment . . .

Stefania’s prizes include lots of cash, a one-year contract to promote Miss Universe, world travel, a free luxury apartment in New York City, and a gift bag full of designer shoes, dresses, and beauty products. She will also receive $100,000 for a two-year course at the New York Film Academy and free access to famous fashion and beauty salons. She will use her time traveling the world to talk about humanitarian issues and to promote public health.

More than eighty countries and territories were represented in the contest. These are the most amazing young women from every part of the world. But everyone knows that our sexy latinas are the most beautiful ladies. Six prior pageant winners have come from Venezuela and fifteen more winners from other latin countries. This year, lovely Ada de la Cruz of the Dominican Republic and Mayra Matos from Puerto Rico also finished in the top five.

This year was the first time that the Bahamas hosted the popular event. On August 23rd, the Miss Universe 2009 Pageant was broadcast live on both NBC and Telemundo from Nassau. The competition also included a national costume display by all of the girls. The ladies were introduced, and Dayana talked about her life as Miss Universe 2008. All of the women were extremely gorgeous, talented, and exciting to watch.

The top 15 finalists competed in the colorful and sexy swimsuit competition. That is always my favorite part. Five of the women were eliminated. The remaining ladies competed in the glamorous evening gown competition. The television audiences could see all the judges' scores and get a sneak preview of what they were thinking. There were also some special awards given. Five more were eliminated. The last five finalists then competed in a question round. The final results were announced, and Stefania was crowned the new queen!

Some countries are already beginning to prepare for next year. Mexico and Venezuela hold their national beauty pageant in September. Then Puerto Rico and Colombia have theirs in November. Many beautiful young latinas will be ready to represent their people at the next contest in 2010.

If you want to plan a nice vacation, take a few days and enjoy these exciting events. And be sure to take your camera.

Who knows? Maybe you will get to meet the next Miss Universe in Cartagena or San Juan . . .