Nha Trang, Vietnam - July 14, 2008 - Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, a 22 year old interior designer, was crowned Miss Universe 2008 on Monday, July 14th, Vietnamese time, in Nha Trang Vietnam. She speaks Spanish, Italian and English.

During the final question asked by one of the international judges, Louis Lacari, Dayana quickly answered, "Actually, God made us to share and, to have differences but the big difference between women and men - it doesn't matter what kind of life they live - is that men think - they think that the faster way to go to a point is to go straight. Women, no. The faster way to go to a point is to go through the curves and fixing every curves.

The first runner-up was Taliana Vargas, Miss Colombia. Dominican Republic (Marianne Cruz) was 2nd runner-up, Russia (Vera Krasova) was 3rd, and Mexico (Elisa Najera) was 4th runner-up.

The top 10 semi-finalists are : Kosovo (Zana Krasniqi), Spain (Claudia Moro), USA (Crystle Stewart), Italy (Claudia Ferraris), and Australia (Laura Dundovic).

Completing the top 15 are : Czech Republic (Eliska Buckova), Hungary (Jazmin Dammak), South Africa (Tansey Coetzee), Japan (Hiroko Mima), and Vietnam (Lam Thuy Nguyen).

Miss Congeniality award went to Miss El Salvador (Rebeca Moreno) and the Best in National Costume went to Miss Thailand (Gavintra Pothijak).

Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza won a tiara created by CAO Fine Jewelry, a year long salary as Miss Universe, an apartment in New York, a two year scholarship from the NY Film Academy valued $100,000 plus a list of beauty products and services from the sponsors. Runners-up, finalists and special award winners have all received cash prizes and a crystal trophy from Rogaska.

The international panel of judges during the event were Australian former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins; the Trump Organization’s Executive Vice-President and scion of the famed real estate developer Donald Trump, Donald John Trump Jr.; the internationally acclaimed Italian fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli; one of the world’s foremost hair experts, Louis Licari; one of the hottest actresses and models in the US, Nadine Velasquez; luxury shoes creator, Taryn Rose; Than Nien newspaper Editor-in-Cheif, Nguyen Chong Khe; The Surf Club and The Crane Club owner, Joseph Cinque; and Indian-born Bollywood actress and singer, Eesha Koppikhar.

After 11 years, Venezuela has won its 5th Miss Universe crown. The last time they won the coveted title was in 1996 in Las Vegas, USA with Alicia Mechado.

To learn more on the Miss Universe 2008 pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam please check our Miss Universe 2008 Special Coverage click here

Congratulations to the new Miss Universe!