15 finalists named at Miss Universe pageant; Miss USA among those chosen

September 19th, 2009 Miss Universe celebrates historic win in VenezuelaCARACAS, Venezuela — The newly crowned Miss Universe returned to her native Venezuela on Saturday to celebrate her historic selection, saying the nation would go for its third consecutive win at next year's pageant. Stefania Fernandez, 18, was welcomed at the airport with a red carpet and flowers.

September 5th, 2009 NEW YORK - Business magnate Donald Trump personally helps shortlist six of the 15 finalists in the Miss Universe pageant every year, it has been claimed. The pageant owner's involvement as a judge was revealed by the contest's choreographer Michael Schwandt.

August 25th, 2009 Miss Venezuela STEFANIA FERNANDEZ was crowned Miss Universe at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas on Sunday night (23Aug09). It's the second year running a Miss Venezuela has won the global beauty pageant - Dayana Mendoza was last year's victor.

August 24th, 2009 Venezuela wins Miss Universe crown againNASSAU, Bahamas — Miss Venezuela has been named winner of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas. Stefania Fernandez was crowned Sunday night.

August 24th, 2009 On the eve of 2009 Miss Universe Pageant at Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, reality TV star Heidi Montag performed a lip synchronization with the song called "Body Language" on Sunday night. It was  her first live performance during Miss Universe 2009 pageant.

August 24th, 2009 Venezuela repeats at Miss Universe contestNASSAU, Bahamas — Miss Venezuela was the fairest of them all once again, winning the 2009 Miss Universe crown for the second year straight and the sixth time since the pageant's creation. Dressed in a flowing red gown, 18-year-old Stefania Fernandez hugged the runner-up from the Dominican Republic and danced in joy as her victory was announced Sunday.

August 24th, 2009 ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND - Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez was crowned Miss Universe 2009 here Monday, beating 84 contenders in the 58th edition of the annual pageant. Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela placed the glittering $120,000 crown on 18-year-old Fernandez who looked pretty in a red evening gown.

August 24th, 2009 ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND - Delhi girl Ekta Chaudhary Monday failed to make it to the top 15 finalists of the Miss Universe 2009 contest here, dashing hopes of getting the crown back to India. The top 15 finalists who will be vying for the Miss Universe crown are from Albania, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, France, Iceland, Kosovo, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, the US and Venezuela.

August 24th, 2009 NASSAU - Indian hopes were dashed when Miss India Ekta Choudhry failed to make the top 15 in the Miss Universe 2009 contest. Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez, was eventually named winner of the 2009 Miss Universe pageant.

August 24th, 2009 Miss Universe contestants practice before eventNASSAU, Bahamas — Dozens of beauty queens sporting sunglasses and toting suitcases made an informal parade down a wide hotel hallway Sunday, thrilling tourists as they headed to dress rehearsal hours before the Miss Universe pageant. They walked quietly, pausing only to wave and smile for tourists had gathered at the Atlantis Hotel to buy last-minute tickets for the event.

August 23rd, 2009 Latinas, Asians lead Miss Universe pollNASSAU, Bahamas — Beauties from Latin America and Asia emerged as the crowd's favorites as the quest for the next Miss Universe neared. An online poll sponsored by contest officials favored Miss Indonesia Zivanna Letisha Siregar, followed by Miss Brazil Larissa Costa and Miss Guatemala Lourdes Figueroa, on the eve of showdown among 15 Miss Universe finalists.

August 12th, 2009 NEW YORK - Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza is set to appear topless in the September issue of men's mag Maxim. The magazine will hit newsstands just as she relinquishes her crown Aug.

June 17th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch has denied rumours that her leaked spat with pageant's national director could create grounds for her sacking. The 20-year-old was previously reported to be at the risk of losing her title after details of her letter of complaint to the New York head office of the Miss Universe Organisation was made public.

June 15th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch may loose her crown after details of her row with the pageant's national director were made public. Finch was said to have sent a letter of complaint in an email to the New York head office of the Miss Universe Organisation, a copy of which has leaked.

June 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Miss California Carrie Prejean, who sparked a furor at the Miss USA pageant by taking a stand against gay marriage, has been stripped off her crown. She was fired on Wednesday for failing to fulfill her obligations, according to a release by K2 Productions, the independent producers of the Miss California USA pageant, under license from Miss Universe, reports Fox News.