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PIX: Miss Universe 2010, winners and finalists
The Miss Universe 2010 beauty pageant drew to a close in Las Vegas last night wit the crowning of a new winner -- Miss Mexico. Here's a look at her exciting moment, the runners-up and the other finalists who made it to the top 10.
The 59th edition of the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world (or should we say universe?) saw 83 lovely young ladies from as many countries vying for the crown.
The grand finale, hosted by rockstar Bret Michaels and NBC correspondent Natalie Morales, took place at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, USA. The judges panel comprised a number of recognised faces including magician Criss Angel and actors Jane Seymour, William Baldwin and Chazz Palminteri.
The top 15 contestants were judged in the swimsuit, evening gown and interview rounds and then whittled down to the top 10. Of course, there can be only one winner and this year the honour fell to Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, while Yendi Phillipps (Miss Jamaica) and Jesinta Campbell (Miss Australia) bagged the first and second runner-up positions respectively.
In the following pages, we bring you a look at the beautiful young ladies who took top spots, as well as the rest of the finalists who made it to the top 10.
The grand title winner: Miss Mexico
Jimena Navarrete is all of 22, but the doe-eyed brunette stunner was able to edge out stiff competition to grab the title.
Originally from the city of Guadalajara, she studied nutrition prior to her participation in pageants.
Jimena is the second-ever Mexican winner of the Miss Universe competition, succeeding her predecessor, Lupita Jones, after a gap of 19 years. Coincidentally, Jones was also crowned the winner in Las Vegas.
First runner-up: Miss Jamaica
Second position went to 24-year-old Yendi Phillipps, representing Jamaica. This is the first time her country has placed so high up in the pageant.
The 5'10" dusky beauty holds a bachelor's degree in fine arts with a concentration on dance.
Second runner-up: Miss Australia
All of 19, Australian Jesinta Campbell snagged third spot.
The teenager from Sydney, who is still pursuing her education, also bagged the title of 'Miss Congeniality' in the special awards category.
In the top 10: Miss Ukraine
And here are the rest of the pretty young women who made it to the top 10, giving Jimena stiff competition:
Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska, 23, is a model. She's managed to place higher than any of the country's previous contestants and is only the third to ever make it so far into the finals.
Miss Philippines
An Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and part-time fashion model, Miss Philippines Venus Raj, 22, also got to the semi-finals.
Miss Albania
Curvy Albanian model Angela Martini, 23, came in at Number Six.
Miss Guatemala
Twenty-year-old brunette Jessica Sheel, an interior designing student from Guatemala took seventh position.
Miss Ireland
The luck of the Irish saw gorgeous model Rozanna Purcell, 20, as far as eighth rank.
Miss Puerto Rico
Student and well-known Puerto Rican model Mariana Vicente, 21, from San Juan, took ninth place.
Miss South Africa
Rounding off the top 10 was Miss South Africa Nicole Flint, 22, who is both a model and PR professional from Pretoria.
Miss India: Better luck next time
Unfortunately, India's Ushoshi Sengupta, 22, did not make it even to the top 15, continuing our disappointing run at international beauty pageants in recent years.