Miss Puerto Rico Chosen As Miss Universe
Posted July 23, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Canadian beauty queen Natalie Glebova handed over her crown after Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza of Puerto Rico was chosen as Miss Universe 2006 Sunday night.
Eighty-six lovely ladies strutted across the stage in bikinis and evening gowns hoping to have the $250,000 diamond and pearl-studded tiara placed on her head.
The 18-year-old winner is an aspiring actress who hopes to one day star in US and Latin American movies. Kurara Chibana of Japan was the runner-up.
Awards were also handed out for the most photogenic and congenial contestants along with an honour for best national costume.
Lia Andrea Ramos of Philippines was chosen as the most photogenic, Angela Asare of Ghana won the congeniality award and Miss Japan, who carried a Samurai sword, took home the prize for the best costume.
Mendoza will travel the world for a year promoting good will and charity. Glebova spent her year as Miss Universe raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and began her reign in South Africa where she publicly took an HIV test.
“My year as Miss Universe has meant more to me than I can express,” she said.
“I have traveled the world on behalf of various HIV/AIDS organizations, promoting education, research and legislation, and I walk away from this experience feeling like I truly made an impact.”
