Jimena-Navarrette

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010 during the Miss Universe pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Monday night.

 

The stunning brunette from Guadalajara inherited the title from Venezuela’s Stefania Fernandez and beat out 83 beauty queens from all over the globe – including Miss USA Rima Fakih – on stage in Sin City. In fact, the 22-year-old nature enthusiast defeated favorites from Ireland, the Philippines and Venezuela to become the 59th winner of the crown in a show broadcast live around the world. In a major shock, this year’s Miss Venezuela failed to make it past the first cut, when the 83 contestants were whittled down to 15. Miss USA, another favorite, was also eliminated early on.

Navarrete is Mexico’s second Miss Universe; Lupita Jones of Mexico won the title in 1991. Navarrete’s title comes with a package of prizes – including an undisclosed salary, a luxury New York apartment with living expenses, a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy with housing after her reign is complete, plus jewelry, and shoes and a new wardrobe.

Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps was crowned second runner-up. Miss Australia Jesenti Campbell is second runner-up. The Miss Congeniality Universe award went to Campbell, while Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul won Miss Photogenic Universe and a second award for having the Best National Costume.