Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez, center, reacts as she is named Miss Universe 2009 next to Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, also of Venezuela, right, at the end the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Nassau, Bahamas, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009. Miss Dominican Republic Ada Aimee De la Cruz, left, was first runner up. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
A back-to-back win—Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez was crowned Miss Universe 2009 by her predecessor, Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza (also from Venezuela) during the 58th Miss Universe Coronation Night held at the Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23, 2009 (August 24—Philippine Time). This would be the very first time in the history of Miss Universe that a country won the title for two consecutive year.
This would be Venezuela’s 6th Miss Universe crown. Venezuela won the Miss Universe during the following years: 1979, 1981, 1986, 1996, 2008, and the latest, 2009.
Stefania Fernadez stood out among the young women from 83 countries vying for this year’s Miss Universe title. Ada de la Cruz of Dominican Republic was announced as the 1st Runner-up while Miss Kosovo, Marigona Dragusha was named the 2nd Runner-up. Miss Australia, Rachael Finch and Miss Puerto Rico, Mayra Matos were named the 3rd Runner-up and 4th Runner-up, respectively.
Special awards were also given to Miss China, Wang Jingyao as Miss Congeniality, Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej as Miss Photogenic and Miss Panama, Diana Broce took home the Best National Costume Award.
Pamela Bianca Manalo, Miss Philippines, failed to make it to the semi-finals.
The coronation night was hosted by Celebrity Apprentice star Claudia Jordan and Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush with performances by Flo Rida, David Guetta, Kelly Rowland, and Heidi Montag.
The MISS UNIVERSE 2009 prize package includes: the Miss Universe tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs; a two-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy worth more than $100,000 dollars to its acting or film-making programs; an eveningwear wardrobe from Carlos Alberto; a custom swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand; a shoe collection from Nina Footwear; an assortment of Luxe Collection video cameras from DXG USA; a six-day/five-night vacation for two at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas with air travel accommodations by JetBlue Airways; a year-long supply of Farouk Systems products, makers of CHI, the original Ceramic Technology tools; a Skype kit featuring a laptop computer, webcam, speakers and a one-year Unlimited World plan to talk to friends and family; membership to Gravity Fitness and pampering at John Barrett Salon; a fashion portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; dermatology and skincare services by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; consultations with personal stylist Billie Causieestko and access to an event wardrobe from leading fashion designers; a New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization to further her personal and professional goals.
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