Miss Universe

Leila Lopes from Angola was crowned Miss Universe 2011, beating out 88 competitors in a star-studded ceremony in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on Monday night.

The 25-year-old Lopes is that nation's first winner.

In the 60th anniversary of the world's biggest beauty pageant, she replaces last year's winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico. Here's a photo of the winner:

"I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Leila Lopes said when asked a crucial interview question about ... something.

"I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these."

Many believed Miss USA Alyssa Campanella might have a real shot to become the first American winner of the event since 1997. But it wasn't to be.

China's Luo Zilin came in fourth, the Philippines' Shamcey Supsup third, Brazil's Priscila Machado second and Ukraine's Olesia Stefanko was first runner-up.

Congratulations to the contestants for giving it their all.

In sequined pants and matching bra, Heidi Montag's rendition of "Body Language," her first career live effort, was underwhelming even by her low standards.

NBC, which was broadcasting the Miss Universe 2009 pageant live, apparently had similar thoughts and blocked out more than half of her song at the event.

Heidi sang (term used loosely) as the 15 finalists were introduced. Stefania Fernandez was later crowned the winner, helping fans forget this musical debacle.

"I think people don't know what to expect, and how can they? It's my first performance live and it's in front of half a billion eyes. I'm very excited to show everyone what I'm coming with," said Heidi Montag prior to her performance.

What she came up with were the simplest of dance moves, some of which she couldn't even execute (so much for all that rehearsing), and bad lip-synching even when she insisted she would sing live. Or, "as live as it can be." Poor.

Sources later reported that Heidi Montag might not sing because "production staffers were worried about her performance." With good reason. The wife of Spencer Pratt experienced problems remembering the lyrics as well ... to her own song.

Relax, though ... it's even worse than we're making it sound.

If you want to watch Heidi Montag lip-synch to her bad ripoff of "Situation" by Yaz, and attempt to dance while NBC edits out half of the material, check out the video of the 'Tag "singing" at the 2009 Miss Universe pageant below ...

Heidi Montag at Miss Universe

The lovely Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, was crowned Miss Universe 2009 last night. The 18-year-old (!) is a worthy title-holder, to say the least.

She defeated finalists from Puerto Rico, Kosovo, Australia and the Dominican Republic. When she heard that Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee De la Cruz, was named first Runner-Up, that meant Stefania Fernandez became the new Miss Universe.

Stefania is the second consecutive Miss Venezuela to win Miss Universe, and shared a hug with her predecessor, Dayana Mendoza, on stage after she won.

Receiving the tiara from Dayana, Stefania accidentally dropped the thing on stage. But with true grace and dignity, they rebounded as if nothing happened.

Stefania Fernandez beams upon being crowned Miss Universe 2009.

The second runner-up was Miss Kosovo Gona Dragusha, while Miss Australia Rachael Finch was third runner-up. Miss China Wang Jingyao was Miss Photogenic, while Miss Thailand Chutima Durongdej was named Miss Congeniality.

The top 15 finalists appeared in bathing suits before the final 10 were chosen for the evening gown segment. Pageant co-owner Donald Trump told reporters:

"I think this is the most beautiful group of women I've ever seen."

The televised event includes musical performances by Flo Rida, David Guetta, Kelly Rowland and Heidi Montag. We'll have a video of that disaster up later.

Stefania Fernandez was also named "Miss Elegance" "Best Body" and "Best Face." We're just hoping she doesn't add "Miss Nude Photo Scandal" shortly.

Click to enlarge these pictures of Stefania Fernandez:

Following lots of important questions, crucial bikini poses and a dreadful live singing performance by Heidi Montag, Dayana Mendoza will formally cede her crown as the 2009 winner of the Miss Universe pageant is named on Sunday night.

Representing America will be Miss USA Kristen Dalton.

Contrary to popular belief, Carrie Prejean did not win the Miss USA pageant, Kristen Dalton did. Prejean finished second, then was later stripped of her crown as Miss California after flaking on her contract (and being stripped of her top).

Therefore it is Kristen Dalton, 22, hailing from the great state of North Carolina, who will be competing Sunday night at the Atlantis in the Bahamas.

She's a worthy competitor, to say the least ...

Can she become the first American winner of the Miss Universe title since 1997? The odds are slim, if only because more than 90 girls competing, as Donald Trump (who bought the Miss Universe Organization in 1996) mentioned on The Late Show.

Either way, she'll give it a good run. Click to enlarge more photos of the beautiful Miss USA title-holder and Carrie Prejean conqueror, Kristen Dalton ...

An 18-year-old from Puerto Rico, who hopes to someday star in U.S. and Latin American films, was crowned Sunday night as Miss Universe 2006.

Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza shared a tear-filled, emotional hug with runner-up, Kurara Chibana of Japan, moments before the winner was announced. Upon hearing that she won it all, Rivera held her hands to her mouth in amazement.

Then, of course, she fainted.

Fortunately, Miss Universe did not miss much, quickly recovering after being given liquids, according to Miss Universe spokeswoman Esther Swan. Rivera, who was wearing a dress made entirely of metal chains, had been standing under hot stage lights for some time when she began to topple over. Someone caught her as she fell.

"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.

Rivera hails from the coastal town of Salinas. She says she will 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.

Miss USA Tara Conner, who was vying to become the first U.S. winner since Brook Lee in 1997, was the contest's fourth runner-up. Also finishing in the top five were second runner-up Lauriane Gillieron of Switzerland and third runner-up Lourdes Arevalos of Paraguay.

The Gossip's verdict on Ms. Rivera Mendoza? Not bad, although we aren't exactly sure why Heidi Klum and/or Molly Sims were not among the participants. Shame.