MEXICO CITY: A 20-year-old dancer from Japan who wants to someday open an international dance school, was crowned on Monday as Miss Universe 2007, while Miss India Puja Gupta failed to make it to the top five.
Riyo Mori nervously grabbed the hands of first runner-up Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil just before the winner was announced. She trembled in awe as the diamond-and-pearl-studded crown was placed on her head. Miss India, Puja Gupta, who had made it to the last ten, however, failed to reach the top five.
Miss USA Rachel Smith, whose chances may have been dimmed when she slipped and fell to the floor during the evening gown competition, was the contest's fourth runner-up. Also finishing in the top five were second runner-up Ly Jonaitis of Venezuela and third runner-up Honey Lee of Korea.
The winner travels the world for a year on behalf of charities and pageant sponsors. Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza of Puerto Rico crowned her successor at the end of the two-hour telecast with the headpiece valued at USD 250,000. Miss USA Rachel Smith, journalism graduate from Tennessee, carried a guitar and wore a white, Elvis-style suit during the opening parade of nations.
Several of the contestants sported costumes featuring colorful native dress, including feathers, sequins, fur, and huge headpieces.
As soon as the final 15 had been selected, they immediately strutted across the stage in animal-print bikinis for the swimsuit competition. Then the top 10 were announced, including Smith and Gupta.
The others were Micaela Reis of Angola; Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil; Riyo Mori of Japan; Honey Lee of Korea; Rosa Maria Ojeda of Mexico; Xiomara Blandino of Nicaragua; Flaviana Matata of Tanzania; Ly Jonaitis of Venezuela.
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