Mexican beauty defeats curse and wins crown

Calmly stepping into history and never losing herself in the pressure and drama of the moment, Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete, has been crowned Miss Universe 2010, becoming the first Miss Universe from Mexico since 1991 and putting to rest rumors of a curse that had bedeviled other Mexican contestants over the years. 

 

 

Culminating what has been a renewed & refreshed pageant, full of color, style and joy, the newest Miss Universe seemed destined to win the crown from the moment she took the stage at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on Monday night in Las Vegas. Although poised and graceful throughout the competition, Ms. Navarrete was at a literal loss for words when first asked for her reaction to winning, coming out with a heartfelt "I can't think of anything, I'm blank... Sorry."Yendi Phillipps, Miss Jamaica, was the runner up, followed by Miss Australia - Jesinta Campbell, Miss Ukraine - Ana Poslavska, and Miss Philippines - Venus Raj. 

The evening's hosts, rocker and reality-TV star Bret Michaels and NBC correspondent Natalie Morales, displayed genuine chemistry as they kept the action flowing. Ms. Morales kept pace with the contestants, changing dresses three times, while Mr. Michaels remained the rock star in a black leather and velvet suit and his trademark bandana across his brow.Share 

The broadcast began with the parade of typical dresses, as the contestants shared their pride in their heritage and traditions. At this early moment, Miss Mexico's dramatic ensemble, inspired by the Aztec calendar, drew gasps from the live audience and placed her on the road to victory. Others who shone brightly in this stage of the competition were Miss USA, Miss Panama, and Miss Poland, who some felt may have been a bit too eccentric in her costume.Soon after, the first big surprise of the night came as the 15 semifinalists were announced, having previously been selected by the judges and pageant co-owner, Donald Trump. Miss Venezuela, looking to follow in the footsteps of the previous two Miss Universe winners, did not make the cut.