July 13, 2008
Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, waves after Mendoza was crowned as Miss Universe 2008 during the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam, Monday, July 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Miss Universe 2008 was shown live from the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. The said event was hosted by Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Mel Brown. Lady GaGa also performed her hit "Just Dance" during the swimsuit portion.
Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, won as Miss Universe 2008. The First Runner Up is Miss Colombia, Taliana Vargas. Second Runner Up is Miss Dominican Republic, Marianne Cruz Gonzalez; Third Runner up is Miss Russia, Vera Krasova and Miss Mexico, Elisa Najera is the fourth runner up. The National Costume Award was given to Miss Thailand, Gavintra Photijak, and this year's Miss Congeniality is Miss El Salvador,Rebeca Moreno.
The said event won't be successful without the help and the judgment of the panel of judges for the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant that included: Mr. Donald Trump Jr., Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization; fashion designer and entrepreneur Roberto Cavalli, Miss Nadine Velazquez, international cover girl and star of NBC's "My Name Is Earl", Miss Jennifer Hawkins, Miss Universe 2004, Louis Licari, Joe Cinque, President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences; Bollywood film & TV star, dancer, model Eesha Koppikhar; Nguyen Cong Khe, Editor in Chief of Thanh Nien newspaper and international shoe designer Taryn Rose.
Congratulations to all winners.
