Miss Universe Angola Leila Lopes was crowned Miss Universe 2011 in San Paolo, Brazil, on September 12, 2011. The 60th Miss Universe pageant, hosted by television personalities Andy Cohen and Natalie Morales, was televised live on NBC.
Miss Universe Judges
The 60th Miss Universe Pageant was hosted by Andy Cohen (Watch What Happens: Live) and Natalie Morales (NBC's Today) . Celebrity judges included broadcast journalist Connie Chung, actress Vivica Fox, TV personality Adrienne Maloof (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Tony winning actress Lea Salonga, Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega, Brazilian supermodel Isabeli Fontana and Indianapolis 500 winner Helios Catroneves.
Miss Universe Contestants
Beautiful women from around the world gathered in San Paolo, Brazil, in August, to prepare for the global event. The competition started with 89 women, representing countries from continents around the globe, including Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, South America and Africa.
Pageant contestants participated in activities, events, photo shoots and rehearsals leading up to the international pageant. The contestants modeled national costumes, swimwear and evening gowns. During the pageant, the contestants wore the same style of Catalina-Brasil swimwear in a variety of colors, so that styling and patterns would not be a distraction for the judges. The were also presented in matching evening gowns, but later wore gowns of their own choosing.
Miss Universe Angola Leila Lopes Crowned Miss Universe 2011
Miss Angola stated that she hoped to use her position to advance the cause of fighting HIV, according to a statement she made at the pageant. "I've worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs. I think now as Miss Universe I will able to do much more."
Miss Angola Leila Lopes was proclaimed Miss Universe 2011, while Miss Ukraie Olesia Stefanko was named the first runner up. They were followed by second runner up Miss Brazil Priscila Machado, third runner up Miss Philllipines Shamcey Supsup and fourth runner up Miss China Luo Zilin.
The new Miss Universe was crowned by Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarette, who represented Mexico in last year's pageant held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Miss Universe Awards to Beautiful Women from Around the Globe
The Miss Universe Organization
The Miss Universe Organization is run by NBC and Donald Trump. The current president of the Miss Universe Origanization is Paula Shugarts. The Miss Universe Organization also runs the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants.
