Venezuelan Mendoza crowned Miss Universe
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Miss Universe 2008: Dayana Mendoza. (Reuters: Adrees Latif)
Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, has been crowned Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam's resort city of Nha Trang in a pageant that drew contestants from 80 countries.
The 22-year-old brunette became the 57th winner of the title in a show watched by a live audience of 7,500 and nearly 1 billion television viewers worldwide.
Mendoza clinched the diamond-studded gold crown after answering a question on the difference between men and women.
"Men think that the fastest way to go to a point is to go straight," explained the trilingual beauty from Amazonas state.
"Women know that the faster way to go to a point is to go to the curves."
Wearing a yellow evening gown, she burst into tears of joy when the presenter, US talk show host Jerry Springer, announced she had won.
Mendoza finished ahead of runners-up up from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Russia and Mexico.
Her prize package includes cash, a year-long contract promoting Miss Universe, world travel, a rent-free New York City luxury apartment and a giftbag stuffed with free designer shoes, dresses and beauty products.
Venezuela, where beauty contests are held in schools, villages and even prisons, is considered a 'pageant superpower' with four previous Miss Universe and five Miss World winners.
-AFP/Reuters
