During the Miss Universe 2008 held at NHA TRANG, Vietnam was a successful event.
The evening was filled with surprises, including a runway tumble by Miss USA Crystle Stewart of Texas. She tripped on the train of her formal evening gown.
For the second year in a row, Miss USA has fallen down during the evening gown competition at the Miss Universe competition.

It was a nightmare come true for Miss USA Crystle Stewart, a Texan, who tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown as she made her entrance.

During the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on You Tube, where the video was shown over and over again.

Like Smith, Stewart quickly stood up after her fall and continued on as if nothing had happened. I really appreciate her courage to continue on after what had happened.

MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 AWARDS
NATIONAL COSTUME

Congratulations !

Gavintra Photijak

Thailand

MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 AWARDS
MISS CONGENIALITY UNIVERSE™

Congratulations!

Miss Congeniality UNIVERSE™

Rebeca Moreno

Miss El Salvador

MISS UNIVERSE® 2008 AWARDS
BEST IN BIKINI

Congratulations!

Elisa Najera

Miss Mexico

Dayana Sabrina Mendoza Moncada, 22 y.o, on born June 1, 1986 in Caracas, Venezuela, is a model and newly crowned Miss Venezuela 2007 and Miss Universe 2008. On 2001 Mendoza signed with Elite Model Management and modelled in Italy, France, United States, England, Greece, Spain, Germany, Mexico and Peru for Versace, Roberto Cavalli and other fashion designers. Speaks Spanish, English, and Italian. Dayana beat out 27 other candidates to win Miss Venezuela 2007 on September 13, 2007, and became the only the second woman representing the Amazons state to win (the first being Carolina Izsak in 1991. She was crowned Miss Universe 2008 at the pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 13, 2008. Unfortunately, she was a kidnap victim in her country as what it was called an express kidnapped. She was captured for only 4 hours but was released. This incident happened a year and a half ago.

It is sad to know that Miss Kosovo, Miss Spain, Miss USA, Miss Italy and Miss Australia did not make it to the top 5.

Miss Universe 2008 Top 5 Finalists:

1. Miss Colombia - Taliana Vargas
2. Miss Venezuela - Dayana Mendoza
3. Miss Dominican Republic - Marianne Cruz Gonzalez
4. Miss Mexico - Elisa Najera
5. Miss Russia - Vera Krasova

The Top 10 finalists Miss Universe 2008

Miss Venezuela, Miss Colombia, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Russia, Miss Mexico, Miss Kosovo, Miss Spain, Miss USA, Miss Italy, Miss Australia.
Unfortunately, Miss Czech Republic, Miss Hungary, Miss South Africa, Miss Japan and Miss Vietnam did not make it to the top 10.

Here are the Top 15 of Miss Universe 2008

Miss Venezuela, Miss Colombia, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Russia, Miss Mexico, Miss Kosovo, Miss Spain, Miss USA, Miss Italy, Miss Australia, Miss Czech Republic, Miss Hungary, Miss South Africa, Miss Japan, and Miss Vietnam.