ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND, The Bahamas: Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez was crowned Miss Universe 2009 here Monday, beating 84 contenders in the 58th edition of the annual pageant.
Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela placed the glittering $120,000 crown on 18-year-old Fernandez who looked pretty in a red evening gown.
Miss Dominican Republic Ada de la Cruz was crowned the first runner up, while Miss Kosovo Marigona Dragusha was declared the second runner up.
The five contestants in the final round, selected from 84 candidates worldwide, competed for the crown at a grand show in which American singer and TV artist Heidi Montag performed live.Delhi girl Ekta Chaudhary Monday failed to make it to the top 15 finalists of the Miss Universe 2009 contest here, dashing hopes of getting the crown back to India.
The top 15 finalists who vyed for the Miss Universe crown where from Albania, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Iceland, Kosovo, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, the US and Venezuela.
These finalists were selected from among 80 contestants who appeared in cocktail dresses and then reappeared in swim suits.
The winner will be crowned by reigning Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela.