Miss Universe 2009

Miss Universe 2009,

Miss Universe 2009, the 58th Miss Universe pageant, was held at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23, 2009. It was the first time back to back victories in Miss Universe history: Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela, was crowned Miss Universe 2009 by outgoing titleholder Dayana Mendoza. 84 countries and territories competed for the title and the pageant was broadcasted live on NBC and Telemundo. On August 22, Jewel Selver representing Turks & Caicos withdrew from the pageant due to illness (dehydration). Only 83 contestants competed in the final on August 23.

The presentation show, rehearsals, dress rehearsal and the grand final took place at Imperial Ballroom, the main 3,650 seats convention ballroom, at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

Placements

Final results Contestant

Miss Universe 2009

Venezuela - Stefanía Fernández

1st Runner-up

Dominican Republic - Ada de la Cruz

2nd Runner-up

Kosovo - Marigona Dragusha

3rd Runner-up

Australia - Rachael Finch

4th Runner-up

Puerto Rico - Mayra Matos

Top 10

France - Chloé Mortaud

South Africa - Tatum Keshwar

Czech Republic - Iveta Lutovská

Switzerland - Whitney Toyloy

USA - Kristen Dalton

Top 15

Albania - Hasna Xhukiçi

Belgium - Zeynep Sever

Sweden - Renate Cerljen

Croatia - Sarah Ćosić

Iceland - Ingibjörg Egilsdóttir

Final competition scores

Country Swimsuit Evening Gown

Venezuela 8.760 (4) 8.869 (5)

Dominican Republic 9.189 (2) 9.428 (1)

Kosovo 8.790 (3) 9.250 (2)

Australia 9.264 (1) 9.039 (4)

Puerto Rico 8.533 (7) 9.050 (3)

France 8.640 (5) 8.650 (6)

South Africa 8.460 (8) 8.040 (7)

Czech Republic 8.350 (9) 8.010 (8)

Switzerland 8.611 (6) 7.890 (9)

United States 8.060 (10) 7.550 (10)

Albania 7.900 (11)

Belgium 7.870 (12)

Sweden 7.830 (13)

Croatia 7.811 (14)

Iceland 7.730 (15)

Winner

First runner-up

Second runner-up

Third runner-up

Fourth runner-up

Top 10

Top 15

(#) Rank in each round of competition

Order of announcements

Top 15

1. Puerto Rico

2. Iceland

3. Albania

4. Czech Republic

5. Belgium

6. Dominican Republic

7. Sweden

8. Kosovo

9. Australia

10. France

11. Switzerland

12. South Africa

13. USA

14. Croatia

15. Venezuela

Top 10

1. Australia

2. Venezuela

3. South Africa

4. Dominican Republic

5. Kosovo

6. Czech Republic

7. Switzerland

8. Puerto Rico

9. USA

10. France

Top 5

1. Dominican Republic

2. Australia

3. Puerto Rico

4. Venezuela

5. Kosovo

[edit]Special awards

Award Contestant

Miss Congeniality

China - Wang Jingyao

Miss Photogenic

Thailand - Chutima Durongdej

Best National Costume

Panama - Diana Broce

Background music

Opening Number: "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas, "Fire Burning" by Sean Kingston

Fashion Shoot Presentation: "Body Language" by Heidi Montag (Live performance)

Swimsuit Competition: "Right Round" and "Jump" by Flo Rida (Live performance)

Evening Gown Competition: "When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland (Live performance)

Presentation show

This marks the first time the Miss Universe preliminary competition was streamed online to a worldwide audience.

At the Preliminary Competition all contestants competed in the Swimsuit and Evening Gown categories as part of the selection for the top 15 finalists who will be revealed during the beginning of the two-hour live telecast of the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant live on NBC and Telemundo on Sunday, August 23 at 0100 GMT.

The Preliminary Competition was hosted by Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza and Local Bahamas radio personality Ed Fields. London based singer Anthoney Wright performed his hit song "Wud if I Cud" during the competition.

Final show

This marked the first time the Miss Universe live telecast was introduced by Donald Trump.

84 contestants pre-taped the national costume introduction including Turks & Caicos – Jewel Selver. Top 15 were announced, followed by Dayana Mendoza sharing about her experiences as Miss Universe 2008. The Top 15 semi-finalists competed in the Swimsuit competition which Top 10 finalists completed in the Evening Gown competition. The televised audiences could see the judges' average combined scores. Before announcing the finalists, there were two special awards – Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic were given. Both two Asian claimed all the special awards - Wang Jingyao of China and Chutima Durongdej of Thailand. Dayana Mendoza revealed that the new Miss Universe crown was the “Peace” model. The Top 5 finalists completed in the though final question round. The 4 runner-ups announced first, followed by the new Miss Universe 2009 – Stefanía Fernández.

The live telecast was hosted by Access Hollywood, Billy Bush and Celebrity Apprentice Claudia Jordan. For the first time, special guest – Heidi Montag performed her first official single Body Language during the Top 15 fashion shoot presentation. When Flo Rida performed during the Top 15 swimsuit competition, and David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland performed during the Top 10 evening gown competition.

The pageant was also historically significant, using Skype for the first time for the final question. Mayra Matos representing Puerto Rico was asked by Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori from Japan via Skype.

]Judges

[edit]Telecast Judges

Keisha Whitaker – Fashion Maven and Founder of the Kissable Couture Lip Gloss line.

Tamara Tunie – Actress, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".

George Maloof Jr. – Professional Sports Mogul and Hotelier.

Farouk – Founder and Chairman of CHI Hair Care.

Richard LeFrak – Chairman, President and CEO LeFrak Organization.

Heather Kerzner – Philanthropist and Ambassador for Kerzner International and Resorts.

Matthew Rolston – Leading Photographer and Director.

Dean Cain – Actor and Producer.

Colin Cowie – Author, Television Personality and Designer to the Stars.

Valeria Mazza – International Supermodel.

Andre Leon Talley – Award-winning Writer and Editor.

Gerry DeVeaux – Award-winning Producer, Songwriter and Style Guru.

[edit]Preliminary Judges[5]

Mark Wylie – Best Buddies Talent Executive.

Adriana Ching – Licensed attorney and a former real estate developer avid philanthropist.

Todd Winston – Veteran of the hospitality industry and Vice President of Sales at Creative Promotional.

Rosalina Lydster – Fashion designer for celebrities.

Tiza Tjokroadisumarto – Director of Retail Operations for Michael Kors.

Corinne Nicolas – President of Trump Model Management.

David Friedman – Last Call with Carson Daly Executive Producer.

Steven Schillaci – Talent Producer for many hit shows including American Idol.

Mario Mosley – Hollywood Choreographer of Oxygen’s Dance Your Ass Off.

Sarah Markantonis – Ambassador of Kerzner International Bahamas.

[edit]Historical Significance

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Venezuela won Miss Universe back to back 2008 and 2009 (First in Miss Universe's History)

Countries who also entered the top 15 previous year were Australia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Kosovo, South Africa, USA, and Venezuela.

Croatia placed for the first time.

Czech Republic placed for the third consecutive time.

Puerto Rico, Switzerland and Sweden last placed in 2006. Zuleyka Rivera (who eventually won the crown), Lauriane Gillieron (who placed 2nd runner-up), and Josephine Alhanko (who placed among the Top 20 semifinalists), were the last placers for these countries, respectively.

Albania last placed in 2002, the last being Anisa Kospiri who placed among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

France last placed 2001, the last being Élodie Gossuin who placed among the Top 10 semi-finalists.

Belgium last placed in 1992, the last being Anke Van Dermeersch who placed among the Top 6 finalists.

Iceland last placed in 1980, the last being Guðbjörg Sigurdardóttir who placed among the Top 12 semi-finalists.

China won Miss Congeniality for the second time, the last being Zhang Ningning in 2007.

Thailand won Miss Photogenic for the second time, the last being Pasaraporn Chaimongkol in 1990.

Panama won Best National Costume for the third time, the last being Jessica Rodriguez in 2004.

Dominican Republic scored its first back-to-back placement ever in pageant history.

Australia scored its first back-to-back placement since 1992-1993 and its highest since the victory of Jennifer Hawkins.

The host delegate, Kiara Sherman of the Bahamas, failed to place in the semifinals. The last time the host delegate failed to place was in 2005 - Chananporn Rosjan of Thailand.

Billy Bush hosted the pageant for the fourth time, while Claudia Jordan hosted the pageant for the first time. Jordan sat as one of the judges during 2006 and Miss USA 2009.

For the first time, there was a "live" performance during the Fashion Shoot Presentation.

Contestants

Albania - Hasna Xhukiçi

Angola - Nelsa Alves

Argentina - Johanna Lasic

Aruba - Dianne Croes

Australia - Rachael Finch

Bahamas - Kiara Sherman

Belgium - Zeynep Sever

Bolivia - Dominique Peltier

Brazil - Larissa Costa

Bulgaria - Elitsa Lubenova

Canada - Mariana Valente

Cayman Islands - Nicosia Lawson

China - Wang Jingyao

Colombia - Michelle Rouillard

Costa Rica - Jessica Umaña

Croatia - Sarah Ćosić

Curaçao - Angenie Simon

Cyprus - Kielia Giasemidou

Czech Republic - Iveta Lutovská

Dominican Republic - Ada de la Cruz

Ecuador - Sandra Vinces

Egypt - Elham Wagdi

El Salvador - Mayella Mena

Estonia - Diana Arno

Ethiopia - Melat Yante

Finland - Essi Pöysti

France - Chloé Mortaud

Georgia - Lika Ordzhonikidze

Germany - Martina Lee

Ghana - Jennifer Victoria Koranteng

Great Britain - Clair Cooper

Greece - Viviana Kampanile-Zagorianakou

Guam - Racine Manley

Guatemala - Lourdes Figueroa

Guyana - Jenel Cox

Honduras - Bélgica Suárez

Hungary - Suzan Budai

Iceland - Ingibjörg Egilsdóttir

India - Ekta Choudhry

Indonesia - Zivanna Letisha Siregar

Ireland - Diana Donnelly

Israel - Julia Dyment

Italy - Laura Valenti

Jamaica - Carolyn Yapp

Japan - Emiri Miyasaka

Korea - Ri Na

Kosovo - Marigona Dragusha

Lebanon - Martine Andraos

Malaysia - Joannabelle Ng

Mauritius - Anaïs Veerapatren

Mexico - Karla Carrillo

Montenegro - Anja Jovanović

Namibia - Happie Ntelamo

Netherlands - Avalon-Chanel Weyzig

New Zealand - Katie Taylor

Nicaragua - Indiana Sánchez

Nigeria - Sandra Otohwo

Norway - Eli Landa

Panama - Diana Broce

Paraguay - Mareike Baumgarten

Peru - Karen Schwarz Espinoza

Philippines - Bianca Manalo

Poland - Angelika Jakubowska

Puerto Rico - Mayra Matos Perez

Romania - Bianca Elena Constantin

Russia - Sofia Rudieva

Serbia - Dragana Atlija

Singapore - Rachel Janice Kum

Slovak Republic - Denisa Mendrejová

Slovenia - Mirela Korač

South Africa - Tatum Keshwar

Spain - Estíbaliz Pereira Rabade

Sweden - Renate Cerljen

Switzerland - Whitney Toyloy

Tanzania - Illuminata Wize

Thailand - Chutima Durongdej

Turkey - Senem Kuyucuoğlu

Turks & Caicos - Jewel Selver (withdrew before the final)

Ukraine - Kristina Kots-Gotlib

Uruguay - Cintia Dottone

USA - Kristen Dalton

Venezuela - Stefanía Fernández

Vietnam - Võ Hoàng Yến

Zambia - Andella Chileshe Matthews

National pageant notes

Country changes

United Kingdom changed its name to UK last year, and this year it changed back its name to Great Britain, which was last used in 2000.

[edit]Returning countries and territories

Romania last competed in 1998.

Ethiopia, Iceland, Namibia and Sweden last competed in 2006.

Bulgaria, Guyana, Lebanon and Zambia last competed in 2007.

[edit]Withdrawals

Antigua & Barbuda

Denmark

Kazakhstan: Olga Nikitina did not compete in Miss Universe for lack of sponsoring from her country.

Northern Marianas: Sorene Maratita, Miss Marianas Universe 2009, did not compete in Miss Universe 2009 due to lack of sponsorship and funding. She will only compete in Miss International 2009.

Sri Lanka: Faith Landers did not participate in Miss Universe 2009 despite being announced that she would.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Ronique Dellimore did not compete in Miss Universe 2009, although the press in her country announced that she would.

Trinidad & Tobago: Peter Elias, the franchise holder for Trinidad & Tobago has confirmed that the Caribbean nation did not send a delegate to Miss Universe 2009 due to lack of sponsorship. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago was informed by Peter Elias in 2008 that it was difficult for him to find sponsorship and that he would no longer be able to fund the girls. The Government aware of this announced that this competition is for private investment and not Government investment.

Turks & Caicos: Jewel Selver withdrew from the competition less than 24 hours before the Presentation Night. Claiming she was suffering from dehydration.[7] Selver was the first delegate to withdraw during preparations for the event on location, for many years.

Contestants notes

Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009 and semifinalist

Some of the delegates have won or participated / will participate in other pageants or model contests:

Kiara Sherman (Bahamas) was Miss Teen Bahamas 2000–2001.

Zeynep Sever (Belgium) competed in Miss Globe 2007.

Zeynep Sever (Belgium), Chloé Mortaud (France), Martine Andraos (Lebanon), Anaïs Veerapatren (Mauritius), Happie Ntelamo (Namibia), Avalon-Chanel Weyzig (Netherlands), and Tatum Keshwar (South Africa) competed in Miss World 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa on December 12, 2009. South Africa placed 2nd Runner-up and won Queen of Africa, while France finished 3rd Runner-up (Top 7 finalists).

Nicosia Lawson (Cayman Islands) competed in Miss World 2008, but did not place.

Jessica Umaña (Costa Rica) competed in Miss Costa Rica 2008, where she was disqualified due to illness. However, she entered the pageant once again a year later, and won.

Iveta Lutovská (Czech Republic) previously held the title of Miss Model of the World 2007.[8]

Ada de la Cruz (Dominican Republic) competed in Miss World 2007 and won the Beach Beauty Award, which gave her an automatic semi-finalist spot that year.

Sandra Vinces (Ecuador) placed in the Top 10 at Miss Top Model of the Globe 2008.

Elham Wagdi (Egypt), was previously first runner up in the 2005 Miss Egypt pageant. Elham won Miss Universe Egypt 2009 and has competed in Miss Earth 2005, Miss International 2006, and Miss Intercontinental 2007 (where she was a semi-finalist).

Melat Yante (Ethiopia) is the current Ethiopia's Next Top Model.

Clair Cooper (Great Britain) represented England at Miss Earth 2007, but did not place.

Lika Ordzhonikidze (Georgia) competed in Miss Intercontinental 2009 in Minsk, Belarus, where she placed at the top 15.

Zivanna Letisha Siregar (Indonesia) won Elite Model Look Indonesia, then she competed in Elite Model Look Asia Pacific Quest 2006.

Carolyn Yapp (Jamaica) was the 1st Runner-up in Miss Jamaica World and the 2nd Runner-up in Miss Jamaica Universe a few years ago.

Emiri Miyasaka (Japan) was the 2nd Runner-up at Miss International Japan 2008.

Eli Landa (Norway) competed in Model Look International 2003.

Angelika Jakubowska (Poland) and Illuminata James (Tanzania) competed in Miss International 2009, but both did not place.

Mayra Matos (Puerto Rico) previously held the title of Miss Teen International 2006.

Võ Hoàng Yến (Vietnam) was the winner of Vietnam Supermodel 2008 and the first runner-up of Miss Vietnam Universe 2008.

Andella Chileshe Matthews (Zambia) was Miss Zambia UK in 2008.

Other notes

For the first time, the Bahamas hosted the Miss Universe.

Croatia was interested in hosting Miss Universe 2009 but they backed out of the project due to economic problems related to the current global economic crisis.

Last July, investor Jonathan Westbrook tried to get Australia to host Miss Universe 2009 but his efforts were in vain as the possible venues were not interested.

Donald Trump had intentions on holding the 2009 pageant in Dubai, but backed out due to the political instability regarding relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel and also for religious reasons.

Bolivia – Peru dispute

In August 1, 2009 Bolivian officials stated that it could present a legal challenge to the organizers of Miss Universe due to the planned use of a typical Diablada costume by the Peruvian candidate Karen Schwarz. Pablo Groux, Bolivian minister of Culture, said that any use of the costume by Schwarz in the contest would be an unlawful appropriation of Bolivian heritage and threatened to bring the case to the International Court of Justice. El Comercio, a Peruvian newspaper, mentioned that this is not the first time the diablada costume is shown in the contest and that it was María Josefa Isensee, a Chilean, that first used it in the Miss Universe contest. The Peruvian foreign minister José Antonio García Belaúnde said that since the diablada dress is of indigenous Aymara origin it can not be considered exclusive of any of the countries where Aymaras lives.

Pageant notes

Stefanía Fernández, Miss Venezuela 2008 and Miss Universe 2009

]Prizes

Miss Universe 2009:

A New custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs

A year long salary as Miss Universe

A shoe wardrobe from Nina Footwear

A year’s worth of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems

A swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand

An assortment of Love Collection video cameras from DXG USA

An evening gown wardrobe by Carlos Alberto Haute Couture

A 6 day/5 night vacation for two at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas with air travel accommodated by JetBlue Airways

A Skype kit featuring a laptop computer with webcam, speakers and a one year Unlimited World plan to talk to friends and family

A collection of ultra light-weight, fashion fresh Heys USA luggage

Luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses

A 2-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy valued at more than $100,000

Personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon

Modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha

Casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization

Extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners

Access to various New York city events including movie premieres and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties

Consultation with stylist Billie Causieestko and access to a personal appearance wardrobe

Professional media/public relations representation by Rubenstein Public Relations and Planet PR in New York City

Dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher

Professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD

1st Runner-up:

$3000 cash award

Gift from Diamond Nexus Labs

2nd Runner-up:

$2000 cash award

Gift from Diamond Nexus Labs

3rd Runner-up and 4th Runner-up:

$1000 cash award

Gift from Diamond Nexus Labs

Top 10 and Top 15:

$500 cash award

Special awards winners:

$1,000 cash award

Gift from Diamond Nexus Labs

All contestants:

An assortment of Farouk Systems hair care products

Swimsuit from BSC Swimwear Thailand

Designer shoes from Nina Footwear

Fashions by Carlos Alberto Haute Couture

A Luxe collection video camera from DXG USA

An assortment of items from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

A Skype starter pack including a headset and a One year unlimited World Plan

Cosmetics from Kryolan professional make-up

International Broadcasters

Some networks outside the United States (telecasted on NBC and Telemundo) showed the Miss Universe 2009 pageant live (or recorded earlier) in their respective countries and territories:

Albania: RTV21

Australia: Seven HD

Argentina: TNT

Belgium: Star! Benelux

Bolivia: Unitel

Brazil: Rede Bandeirantes and TNT

Chile: TNT Latin America

Colombia: Caracol and TNT

Costa Rica: Teletica

Dominican Republic: Telemundo, Color Vision and TNT

Ecuador: Gama TV (Spanish) and TNT

Egypt: Melody Screen

El Salvador: TCS

Estonia: Star! Baltics and Viasat Baltics

Finland: Star! Scandinavia, MTV3 and NonStop Television

France: Paris Première

Germany: Das Vierte (German)

Greece: ANT1

Hong Kong: STAR World

Iceland: Star! Scandinavia and NonStop Television

India: STAR World

Indonesia: Indosiar

Israel: Arutz 2

Italy: Stream

Kosovo[a]: RTV21

Lebanon: LBC and MBC3

Malaysia: STAR World

Mexico: Televisa and TNT

Netherlands: Star! Benelux

Nicaragua: Televicentro

Norway: Star! Scandinavia, TV2 and NonStop Television

Panama: Telemetro and TNT

Peru: ATV and TNT

Philippines: ABS-CBN, Studio 23 and Velvet

Puerto Rico: Telemundo

Singapore: STAR World, MediaCorp Channel 5

Serbia: RTS

Sweden: Star! Scandinavia and NonStop Television

Thailand: Channel 7

Turkey: CNBC-e and NTV

Venezuela: Venevisión and TNT

Vietnam: HTV7 and STAR World

Ratings in the United States

In the United States, the Miss Universe telecast (by NBC) grewed from the first half of the show to the fourth and final, increasing in rating by 73% among audiences ages 18 to 49 (from 1,5/4 to a 2,6/7). The second hour of the pageant beated combinated ratings from ABC (which aired a new episode - "Rubicon" - from now-cancelled sci-fi series Defying Gravity) and CBS (what aired a rerun of Cold Case's episode "Libertyville"), ratings in adults, men and women ages 18 to 34 and 18 to 49.

(source:wikipedia)