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Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza an 18-year-old aspiring actress from Puerto Rico, who hopes to someday star in US and Latin American films, has been crowned as Miss Universe 2006. This is the fifth time the crown has gone to a woman from the US island territory in the Caribbean. Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza of Puerto Rico shared a nervous emotional hug with first runner-up, Kurara Chibana of Japan moments before the winner was announced, then clasped her hands to her mouth in amazement as she heard her name called. She beamed as the crown was placed on her head.
“The truth is, I still do not believe it,” the 18-year-old student and model said after she was crowned.

“I always had faith and confidence in myself, but I never knew I was going to win,” Rivera, speaking in Spanish from the stage, said in her first remarks as Miss Universe. The winner, who is from coastal town of Salinas, said she would continue the pageant’s mission of promoting awareness and education about AIDS and HIV.
“I want to tell those people there’s always problems in life, but there’s always possibilities to improve things,” she said.

In her pageant biography, Rivera explained what made her different from the other contestants.
“Physically, I have been told by modeling agencies and friends that I represent the consummate Latino look,” she said. “Everything in my face expresses our heritage, our music and the wonderful mixes of races that we are.” Rivera is the first winner from Puerto Rico since Denise Quinones in 2001, and the fifth overall in the pageant’s 55-year history

Miss Universe 2006 was chosen by an international judging panel which included NBC’s Las Vegas actor James Lesure of “Las Vegas”; “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry; actress Bridgette Wilson Sampras; Sean Yazbeck, newest winner of “The Apprentice”; former Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith; anchor Maria Celeste Arraras of Telemundo’s “Al Rojo Vivo”; Claudia Jordan, briefcase model on “Deal or No Deal”; fashion photographer Patrick McMullan, and 2003 Miss Universe Amelia Vega.

Throughout the two-hour event, the delegates competed in three categories; swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions the “Top Five” finalists were selected before the crowning. Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 600 hundred million in over 180 countries.
Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell and actor/singer Carlos Ponce (7th Heaven), hosted the live telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Commentary was provided by Carson Kressley of Bravo’s Queer Eye along with Miss USA 2004, Shandi Finnessey throughout the live telecast.

Here is the complete results of Miss Universe 2006 Beauty Pageant Contest :

Miss Universe 2006: Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza
First Runner Up: Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana will assume the duties of Miss Universe 2006 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.
Second Runner Up: Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron

Rest of Top Five:
Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron
Miss Paraguay, Lourdes Arevalos
Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana
Miss United States, Tara Conner
Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera

Rest of Top Ten:
Miss Canada, Alice Panikian
Miss Trinidad/Tobago, Kenisha Thom
Miss Bolivia, Desiree Duran
Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana
Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera
Miss United States, Tara Conner
Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron
Miss Mexico, Priscila Perales
Miss Colombia, Valerie Dominguez
Miss Paraguay, Lourdes Arevalos

National Costume Award: Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana.
Chosen by a local panel of judges during a two-hour telecast in Los Angeles, California for the delegate who displayed her country’s pride and spirit best in costume.

Congeniality Award: Miss Ghana, Angela Asare.
The award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.

Photogenic Award: Miss Philippines, Lia Andrea Ramos.
The general public voted on Nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.

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