Ms. Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, was crowned Miss Universe 2008!

80 beautiful women from different parts of the world came to compete in the most prestigious beauty pageant The Miss Universe of 2008 in Nah Trang, Vietnam.

Each one hoped to win the crown and make their people proud. But like other competition, few would stand, others would fail, and one would win. Among eighty contestants, the list came down to the final 10. Miss Kosovo was in top 10. It’s the very first time Kosovo sent a contestant to represent their country. And Zara Krasniqi says she’s honored to have worn their national costume for the pageant. Miss USA, Crystle Stewart, was also in the final 10, almost tripped-off as she made her way for the evening gown walk.

Miss Universe - Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela)

1st RunnerUp - Taliana Vargas (Columbia); 2nd RunnerUp - Marianne Cruz (Dominican Republic); 3rd RunnerUp - Vera Krasova (Russia) ; and 4th RunnerUp - Elisa Najera (Mexico)

Other lucky ladies won special awards:Miss Congeniality - Ms. El Salvador, Gavintra Photijak; Best in National Costume - Ms. Thailand, Rebeca Moreno.