Miss Universe 2009
Miss Universe 2009 titlecard
Date	August 23, 2009
Presenters	Billy Bush, Claudia Jordan
Entertainment	Flo Rida, David Guetta, Kelly Rowland, and Heidi Montag
Venue	Imperial Ballroom, Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas
Broadcaster	NBC, Telemundo
Entrants	83
Placements	15
Withdraws	Antigua & Barbuda, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos
Returns	Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Guyana, Iceland, Lebanon, Namibia, Romania, Sweden, Zambia
Winner	Stefanía Fernández
Represented	Venezuela
Congeniality	Wang Jingyao  China
Best National Costume	Diana Broce  Panama
Photogenic	Chutima Durongdej  Thailand

Miss Universe 2009, the 58th Miss Universe pageant was held at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23, 2009.^[1][2][3] It was the first time back to back victories in Miss Universe history: Stefanía Fernández of Venezuela, was crowned Miss Universe 2009 by outgoing titleholder Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela. 84 countries and territories competed for the title and the pageant was broadcasted live on NBC and Telemundo. On August 22, Jewel Selver representing Turks & Caicos withdrew from the pageant due to illness (dehydration). Only 83 contestants competed in the final on August 23.

The presentation show, rehearsals, dress rehearsal and the grand final took place at Imperial Ballroom, the main 3,650 seats convention ballroom, at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

[edit] Results

[edit] Placements

Participating nations and territories and results.

[edit] Final competition scores

[edit] Order of announcements

Top 15

Top 10

Top 5

• 1. Dominican Republic
• 2. Australia
• 3. Puerto Rico
• 4. Venezuela
• 5. Kosovo^[a]

[edit] Special awards

• Miss Congeniality: Wang Jingyao (China)
• Miss Photogenic: Chutima Durongdej (Thailand)
• Best National Costume: Diana Broce (Panama)

[edit] Background music

• Opening Number: "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas, "Fire Burning" by Sean Kingston
• Fashion Shoot Presentation: "Body Language" by Heidi Montag (Live performance)
• Swimsuit Competition: "Right Round" and "Jump" by Flo Rida (Live performance)
• Evening Gown Competition: "When Love Takes Over" by David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland (Live performance)

[edit] Presentation show

This marks the first time the Miss Universe preliminary competition was streamed online to a worldwide audience.

At the Preliminary Competition all contestants competed in the Swimsuit and Evening Gown categories as part of the selection for the top 15 finalists who will be revealed during the beginning of the two-hour live telecast of the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant live on NBC and Telemundo on Sunday, August 23 at 0100 GMT.

The Preliminary Competition was hosted by Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza and Local Bahamas radio personality Ed Fields. London based singer Anthoney Wright performed his hit song "Wud if I Cud" during the competition.

[edit] Final show

This marks the first time the Miss Universe live telecast was introduced by Donald Trump.

84 contestants pre-taped the national costume introduction including Turks & Caicos – Jewel Selver. Top 15 were announced, followed by Dayana Mendoza sharing about her experiences as Miss Universe 2008. The Top 15 semi-finalists competed in the Swimsuit competitionm which Top 10 finalists completed in the Evening Gown competition. The televised audiences could see the judges' average combined scores. Before announcing the finalists, there were two special awards – Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic were given. Both two Asian claimed all the special awards - Wang Jingyao of China and Chutima Durongdej of Thailand. Dayana Mendoza revealed that the new Miss Universe crown was the “Peace” model. The Top 5 finalists completed in the though final question round. The 4 runner-ups announced first, followed by the new Miss Universe 2009 – Stefanía Fernández.

The live telecast was hosted by Access Hollywood, Billy Bush and Celebrity Apprentice Claudia Jordan. For the first time, special guest – Heidi Montag performed "live" during the Top 15 fashion shoot presentation. When Flo Rida performed during the Top 15 swimsuit competition, and David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland performed during the Top 10 evening gown competition.

The pageant was also historically significant, using Skype for the first time for the final question. Mayra Matos represented Puerto Rico was asked by Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori from Japan via Skype.

[edit] Judges

[edit] Telecast Judges^[4][5]

• Keisha Whitaker – Fashion Maven and Founder of the Kissable Couture Lip Gloss line.
• Tamara Tunie – Actress, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".
• George Maloof Jr. – Professional Sports Mogul and Hotelier.
• Farouk – Founder and Chairman of CHI Hair Care.
• Richard LeFrak – Chairman, President and CEO LeFrak Organization.
• Heather Kerzner – Philanthropist and Ambassador for Kerzner International and Resorts.
• Matthew Rolston – Leading Photographer and Director.
• Dean Cain – Actor and Producer.
• Colin Cowie – Author, Television Personality and Designer to the Stars.
• Valeria Mazza – International Supermodel.
• Andre Leon Talley – Award-winning Writer and Editor.
• Gerry DeVeaux – Award-winning Producer, Songwriter and Style Guru.

[edit] Preliminary Judges^[5]

• Mark Wylie – Best Buddies Talent Executive.
• Adriana Ching – Licensed attorney and a former real estate developer avid philanthropist.
• Todd Winston – Veteran of the hospitality industry and Vice President of Sales at Creative Promotional.
• Rosalina Lydster – Fashion designer for celebrities.
• Tiza Tjokroadisumarto – Director of Retail Operations for Michael Kors.
• Corinne Nicolas – President of Trump Model Management.
• David Friedman – Last Call with Carson Daly Executive Producer.
• Steven Schillaci – Talent Producer for many hit shows including American Idol.
• Mario Mosley – Hollywood Choreographer of Oxygen’s Dance Your Ass Off.
• Sarah Markantonis – Ambassador of Kerzner International Bahamas.

[edit] Historical Significance

• Venezuela became the first country to win a back-to-back title.
• Mexico was unplaced after five consecutive years of finalists.
• Czech Republic placed for the third consecutive year.
• For the first time since 1991, No country from the Asia Continent made the top 15.
• Despite European delegates dominating the semifinals, only Kosovo made the final top 5.
• Countries who also made into the top 15 previous year were Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Kosovo, Australia, South Africa, Czech Republic, and USA.
• Croatia placed for the first time.
• Puerto Rico, Switzerland and Sweden last placed in 2006.
• Albania last placed in 2002.
• France last placed in 2001.
• Iceland last placed in 1980.
• China won Miss Congeniality for the second time.
• Thailand won Miss Photogenic for the second time.
• Panama won Best National Costume for the third time.
• Venezuela wins its sixth crown, now again the second most successful country to compete in the pageant after USA.
• Dominican Republic scored its highest placement since Amelia Vega won in 2003. It is also the first time the Caribbean nation has had back-to-back placements.
• Kosovo^[a] became the first country in this decade to score a back-to-back placement following its debut.
• Australia scored its first back-to-back placement since 1992-1993 and its highest since the victory of Jennifer Hawkins.
• The host delegate, Kiara Sherman of the Bahamas, failed to place in the semifinals. The last time the host delegate failed to place was in 2005 - Chananporn Rosjan of Thailand.
• In 2003, Venezuela's Mariangel Ruiz became first runner up to Dominican Republic's Amelia Vega. Six years later, the opposite happened. Dominican Republic's Ada Aimee de la Cruz became first runner up to Venezuela's Stefania Fernandez. Curiously, both Ruiz and Fernandez wore a red gown, while Vega and De la Cruz wore a white gown. Interestingly, Billy Bush hosted both editions of the pageant.
• In 2004, Australia's Jennifer Hawkins, Miss Universe 2004 said "Oi! Oi! Oi!" after being spoken to by Billy Bush saying "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!" during the final question. Five years later, the same thing happened after Bush said the same thing to Rachael Finch, Miss Australia 2009, during the same portion.
• Billy Bush hosted the pageant for the fourth time, while Claudia Jordan hosted the pageant for the first time, but she a was judge in 2006. She also a judge at Miss USA 2009.
• For the first time, there was a "live" performance during the Fashion Shoot Presentation.

[edit] Contestants

[edit] National pageant notes

[edit] Country changes

• United Kingdom changed its name to UK last year, and this year it changed back its name to Great Britain, which was last used in 2000.

[edit] Returning countries and territories

• Romania last competed in 1998.
• Ethiopia, Iceland, Namibia and Sweden last competed in 2006.
• Bulgaria, Guyana, Lebanon and Zambia last competed in 2007.

[edit] Withdrawals

•  Antigua & Barbuda
•  Denmark
•  Kazakhstan: Olga Nikitina did not compete in Miss Universe for lack of sponsoring from her country.
•  Northern Marianas: Sorene Maratita, Miss Marianas Universe 2009, did not compete in Miss Universe 2009 due to lack of sponsorship and funding. She will only compete in Miss International 2009.^[6]
•  Sri Lanka: Faith Landers did not participate in Miss Universe 2009 despite being announced that she would.
•  St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Ronique Dellimore did not compete in Miss Universe 2009, although the press in her country announced that she would.
•  Trinidad & Tobago: Peter Elias, the franchise holder for Trinidad & Tobago has confirmed that the Caribbean nation did not send a delegate to Miss Universe 2009 due to lack of sponsorship. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago was informed by Peter Elias in 2008 that it was difficult for him to find sponsorship and that he would no longer be able to fund the girls. The Government aware of this announced that this competition is for private investment and not Government investment.
•  Turks & Caicos: Jewel Selver withdrew from the competition less than 24 hours before the Presentation Night. Claiming she was suffering from dehydration.^[7] Selver was the first delegate to withdraw during preparations for the event on location, for many years.

[edit] Contestants notes

Some of the delegates have won or participated / will participate in other pageants or model contests:

• Kiara Sherman (Bahamas) was Miss Teen Bahamas 2000 – 2001.
• Zeynep Sever (Belgium) competed in Miss Globe 2007.
• Zeynep Sever (Belgium), Chloé Mortaud (France), Martine Andraos (Lebanon), Anaïs Veerapatren (Mauritius), Happie Ntelamo (Namibia), Avalon Chanel-Weyzig (Netherlands), Tatum Keshwar (South Africa), and Cinthia d'Ottone (Uruguay) will compete in Miss World 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa on December 12, 2009.
• Nicosia Lawson (Cayman Islands) competed in Miss World 2008, but did not place.
• Jessica Umaña (Costa Rica) competed in Miss Costa Rica 2008, where she was disqualified due to illness. However, she entered the pageant once again a year later, and won.
• Iveta Lutovská (Czech Republic) previously held the title of Miss Model of the World 2007.^[8]
• Ada de la Cruz (Dominican Republic) competed in Miss World 2007 and won the Beach Beauty Award, which gave her an automatic semi-finalist spot that year.
• Sandra Vinces (Ecuador) placed in the Top 10 at Miss Top Model of the Globe 2008.
• Elham Wagdi (Egypt), was previously first runner up in the 2005 Miss Egypt pageant. Elham won Miss Universe Egypt 2009 and has competed in Miss Earth 2005, Miss International 2006, and Miss Intercontinental 2007 (where she was a semi-finalist).
• Melat Yante (Ethiopia) is the current Ethiopia's Next Top Model.
• Clair Cooper (Great Britain) represented England at Miss Earth 2007.
• Zivanna Letisha Siregar (Indonesia) won Elite Model Look Indonesia, then she competed in Elite Model Look Asia Pacific Quest 2006.
• Carolyn Yapp (Jamaica) was the 1st Runner-up in Miss Jamaica World and the 2nd Runner-up in Miss Jamaica Universe a few years ago.
• Emiri Miyasaka (Japan) was the 2nd Runner-up at Miss International Japan 2008.
• Eli Landa (Norway) competed in Model Look International 2003.
• Angelika Jakubowska (Poland) and Illuminata James (Tanzania) will competed at Miss International 2009.
• Mayra Matos (Puerto Rico) previously held the title of Miss Teen International 2006.^[9]
• Võ Hoàng Yến (Vietnam) was the winner of Vietnam Supermodel 2008 and the first runner-up of Miss Vietnam Universe 2008.
• Andella Chileshe Matthews (Zambia) was Miss Zambia UK in 2008.
• Lika Ordzhonikidze (Georgia) competed in Miss Intercontinental 2009 in Minsk, Belarus, where she placed at the top 15.

[edit] Other notes

• For the first time, the Bahamas hosted the Miss Universe.
• Croatia was interested in hosting Miss Universe 2009 but they backed out of the project due to economic problems related to the current global economic crisis.^[10]
• Last July, investor Jonathan Westbrook tried to get Australia to host Miss Universe 2009 but his efforts were in vain as the possible venues were not interested.^[11]
• Donald Trump had intentions on holding the 2009 pageant in Dubai, but backed out due to the political instability regarding relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel and also for religious reasons.^[12]

[edit] Bolivia – Peru dispute

In August 1, 2009 Bolivian officials stated that it could present a legal challenge to the organizers of Miss Universe due to the planned use of a typical Diablada costume by the Peruvian candidate Karen Schwarz. Pablo Groux, Bolivian minister of Culture, said that any use of the costume by Schwarz in the contest would be an unlawful appropriation of Bolivian heritage and threatened to bring the case to the International Court of Justice. El Comercio, a Peruvian newspaper, mentioned that this is not the first time the diablada costume is shown in the contest and that it was María Josefa Isensee, a Chilean, that first used it in the Miss Universe contest. The Peruvian foreign minister José Antonio García Belaúnde said that since the diablada dress is of indigenous Aymara origin it can not be considered exclusive of any of the countries where Aymaras lives.^[13][14]

[edit] Pageant notes

[edit] Prizes^[15]

Miss Universe 2009:

• A New custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs
• A year long salary as Miss Universe
• A shoe wardrobe from Nina Footwear
• A year’s worth of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems
• A swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand
• An assortment of Love Collection video cameras from DXG USA
• An evening gown wardrobe by Carlos Alberto Haute Couture
• A 6 day/5 night vacation for two at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas with air travel accommodated by JetBlue Airways
• A Skype kit featuring a laptop computer with webcam, speakers and a one year Unlimited World plan to talk to friends and family
• A collection of ultra light-weight, fashion fresh Heys USA luggage
• Luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses
• A 2-year scholarship from the New York Film Academy valued at more than $100,000
• Personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon
• Modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha
• Casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization
• Extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners
• Access to various New York city events including movie premieres and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties
• Consultation with stylist Billie Causieestko and access to a personal appearance wardrobe
• Professional media/public relations representation by Rubenstein Public Relations and Planet PR in New York City
• Dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher
• Professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD

1st Runner-up:

• $3000 cash award
• Gift from Diamond Nexus Labs

2nd Runner-up:

• $2000 cash award
• Gift from Diamond Nexus Labs

3rd Runner-up and 4th Runner-up:

• $1000 cash award
• Gift from Diamond Nexus Labs

Top 10 and Top 15:

• $500 cash award

Special awards winners:

• $1,000 cash award
• Gift from Diamond Nexus Labs

All contestants:

• An assortment of Farouk Systems hair care products
• Swimsuit from BSC Swimwear Thailand
• Designer shoes from Nina Footwear
• Fashions by Carlos Alberto Haute Couture
• A Luxe collection video camera from DXG USA
• An assortment of items from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
• A Skype starter pack including a headset and a One year unlimited World Plan
• Cosmetics from Kryolan professional make-up

[edit] International Broadcasting Rights

Like the American-based NBC and Telemundo, same networks broadcasted and have the rights to air the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in their respective countries and territories:

[edit] Notes and references

Notes:

References:

[edit] External links

• Official Site