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Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010 during a pageant that aired Monday night on NBC.Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps was first runner-up in the pageant, held in Las Vegas and hosted by Natalie Morales and Bret Michaels.

Stefania Fernandez from Venezuela was the 2009 Miss Universe. Her 2009 victory was the second consecutive Miss Universe win for Venezuela.
MISS UNIVERSE 2010

In this image provided by the Miss Universe Organization Jimena Navarrete, Miss Mexico 2010, poses for the judges in an evening gown of her choice during the 2010 Miss Universe Presentation Show in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010.

- Miss Universe Organization /AP Photo

* Mexico’s newest icon: 22-year-old Miss Universe

Many people thought the current Miss Venezuela, Marelisa Gibson, had a good shot at this year’s title. She didn’t make the top 15, however.

Rima Fakih represented the United States, but didn’t advance to the top 15.

Access an online photo gallery of the contestants by clicking here.

Based on a preliminary competition, the top 15 contestants are:

Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Ukraine, Miss Mexico, Miss Belgium, Miss Ireland, Miss South Africa, Miss France, Miss Australia, Miss Jamaica, Miss Russia, Miss Albania, Miss Colombia, Miss Guatemala, Miss Czech Republic and Miss Philippines.

The judges include celebrities like Jane Seymour, Criss Angel and Evan Lysacek.

Swimsuit competition time. Here are the contestants’ approximate combined judges’ scores:

Miss Puerto Rico scores 8.4. Miss Ukraine scores 8.3. Miss Mexico scores 9.3. Miss Belgium scores 7.6. Miss Ireland scores 8.8. Miss South Africa scores 8.2.

Miss France scores 7.6. Miss Australia scores 8.5. Miss Jamaica scores 9.4. Miss Russia scores 7.8. Miss Albania scores 8.2. Miss Colombia scores 7.6. Miss Guatemala scores 8.1. Miss Czech Republic scores 7.4. Miss Philippines scores 9.0.

The top 10 contestants are:

Miss Ireland, Miss Albania, Miss Philippines, Miss Jamaica, Miss Mexico, Miss Ukraine, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss South Africa, Miss Guatemala and Miss Australia.

I really like Miss Australia, but I think Miss Mexico is going to win.

Evening gown competition time. Here are the contestants’ approximate combined judges’ scores:

Miss Ireland gets 8.5. Miss Albania gets 8.7. Miss Philippines gets 8.7. Miss Jamaica gets 8.9. Miss Mexico gets 8.9.

Miss Ukraine gets 8.7. Miss Puerto Rico gets 8.0. Miss South Africa gets 8.4. Miss Guatemala gets 8.3. Miss Australia gets 8.8.

Time for some special awards. Miss Australia wins Miss Congeniality. Miss Thailand wins Miss Photogenic and Best National Costume.

The top 5 contestants are:

Miss Mexico, Miss Australia, Miss Jamaica, Miss Ukraine and Miss Philippines.

Yes! The dreaded final question! They have 30 seconds to answer. Here are their questions and excerpts from their answers.

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete: What effect is unsupervised Internet use having on today’s youth? Through an interpreter, she says the Internet is an “indispensable, necessary tool” and we have to make sure kids are using it according to family values.

Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell: What role should the government play in regulating potentially offensive clothing? “One of the greatest things we have is the freedom of choice…I don’t think the government should have any say in what we wear.”

Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps: Is the death penalty acceptable and why? “I believe that life is a gift…I believe that none of us as humans have the right to take a life.”

Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska: How do you feel about full-body scanners in airports? Through an interpreter, she says, “I think it’s a very important question of security…if that helps us to save the lives of people, then I’m for it.”

Miss Philippines Venus Raj: What is one big mistake you’ve made and what did you do to make it right? She says she hasn’t made any major mistakes, then gives a shout-out to her family. “Thank you so much that I am here.”

OK, that was the worst answer of the bunch.

Judgment time.

Fourth runner-up: Miss Philippines

Third runner-up: Miss Ukraine

Second runner-up: Miss Australia

First runner-up: Miss Jamaica

Winner: Miss Mexico!

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This post was submitted by Chinmaya Nayak.