Nha Trang (Vietnam): Miss Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe 2008 on Monday July 14, 2008 in a contest marked by the spectacle of Miss USA falling down during the evening gown competition for the second year in a row.
An elated Dayana Mendoza received the crown from her predecessor, Riyo Mori of Japan, and then prepared to meet a gaggle of reporters. Miss Venezuela, 22, was once kidnapped in her homeland and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.
Tension got under the skin of Crystle Stewart of Texas, the second Miss USA in a row to fall down during the Miss Universe pageant. She tripped on the train of her bejewelled evening gown as she made her entrance.
Image: YanaMendoza, MissVenezuela, reacts as Miss Universe 2007 RiyoMori, crowns her Miss Universe 2008 in NhaTrang, Vietnam, Monday, July14, 2008.
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