Miss Universe, 2009: Venezuela creates history

History was made on August 23, 2009 at the Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahmas, when
Stefania Fernendez of Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe 2009. it was historic not
because Fernandez bagged the title defeating finalists from Kosovo, Australia, Dominican
Republic and Puerto Rico, but because it was for the first time in the history of the event
that a country won the title two years in a row. Last year it was Dayana Mendoza of
Venezuela who won the title and when she walked over the dais to crown the new ‘beauty
queen’ from her own country it became a significant moment for the pageant itself and
Venezuela.

For Stefania Fernendaz, it is certainly a huge achievement and a reward for her discipline
and sincerity to the profession. Her crowning as the beauty queen was not too surprising
as she had already bagged titles like ‘Miss Elegance’, ‘Best Face’ and ‘Best Body’. She
succeeded in every step due to her figure, appeal, intelligence and of course personality.
These are things without which one cannot get out of this event with the crown on her
head specially when the competition is in between beautiful ladies from 83 countries and
territories. Stephania’s appeal was clearly when she appeared in bathing suit with 14
other finalists before the final 10 were chosen. Probably, that was the turning point for the
young Venezuelean lady as Pageant co-owner Donal Trump mentioned: "I think this is
the most beautiful group of women I've ever seen." Miss China Wang Jingyao’s bagging
of ‘Miss Photogenic’ and Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej’s winning the ‘Miss
Congeniality’ award totally justified Mr Trump’s reaction. Though the end was little
disappointing for the second and third runner ups, Miss Kosovo Gona Dragusha and Miss
Australia Rachael Finch, their achievements were not too little.

It was grand night not only for the participants but also for the people present in the
auditorium. Things like musical performances by Flo Rida, David Guetta, Kelly Rowland
and Heidi Montag, background musics like I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas, "Fire
Burning" by Sean Kingston, "Body Language" by Heidi Montag "Right Round" and
"Jump" by Flo Rida, "When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland
(Live performance) made the event even more colorful.

Miss Universe 2009 will also be remembered for the grand presence of personalities like
Keisha Whitaker, fashion maven and founder of Kissable Couture Lip Gloss, Tamara
Tunie, actress, George Maloof, professional sports mogul and hotelier, Farouk, founder
and chairman of CHI Hair Care and Richard LeFrak, chairman, president and CEO of
LeFrak as they occupied the prestigious chairs of the ‘judges’ at the show.