MORE Pics –Miss UNIVERSE 2006–No1: Ms Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza; No2: Miss Japan Kurara Chibana;No3: Ms Switzerland Lauriane Gillieron;

Miss Puerto Rico 18 year old, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza
reacts after being named Miss Universe 2006
at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles July 23, 2006.

Left: Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza reacts
after being named Miss Universe 2006

Right: Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza reacts
after being named Miss Universe 2006 . Mendoza has the crown
placed on her head by outgoing Miss Universe Natalie Glebova

Newly crowned Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza
of Puerto Rico is carried offstage by a security guard
after fainting following a news conference.

2nd runner-up Lauriane Gillieron of Switzerland, left,
and 3rd runner-up Lourdes Arevalos of Paraguay

The top five contestants (L-R)
Miss Switzerland Lauriane Gillieron,
Miss Paraguay Lourdes Arevalos,
Miss Japan Kurara Chibana,
Miss USA Tara Conner and
Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera.

Update: MORE PICTURES

The ANXIOUS Moments (for Ms Japan & Ms Puerto Rico) just before the Winner is announced

..and the following are the estactic, surprise
and 'cloud 9' moments for Ms Puerto Rico
immediately after Ms Japan
was announced as the 1st Runner up

and the Runner ups

Below: 2nd Runneer up, Ms Switzerland

Below: 3rd Runner Up, Ms Paraguay

Below: 4th Runner Up, Ms USA

The 18-year-old from Puerto Rico was crowned at the conclusion of the 55th Annual broadcast on NBC live from Los Angeles, California

Hollywood's actress Nancy O'Dell and actor/singer Carlos Ponce (of 7th Heaven), hosted the live telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Commentary was provided by Carson Kressley of Bravo's Queer Eye along with Miss USA 2004, Shandi Finnessey throughout the live telecast.

Miss Universe 2006 was chosen by an international judging panel which included NBC's Las Vegas star James Lesure; NBC's latest winner from The Apprentice, Sean Yazbeck; renowned fashion photographer Patrick McMullan; Project Runway winner Santino Rice; NBC's Deal or No Deal briefcase model Claudia Jordan; Telemundo's Al Rojo Vivo anchor Maria Celeste Arraras; former Miss Universe Amelia Vega; television writer/creator Marc Cherry; former Miss Teen USA and actress, Bridgette Wilson Sampras; comedian Tom Green and former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith.

Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast. Each contestant from 86 countries around the world will be judged in three categories, swimsuit, evening gown and interview.
An estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 600 hundred million in over 180 countries.


Rest of Top Ten:
Miss Canada, Alice Panikian
Miss Trinidad/Tobago, Kenisha Thom
Miss Bolivia, Desiree Duran
Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana
Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera
Miss United States, Tara Conner
Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron
Miss Mexico, Priscila Perales
Miss Colombia, Valerie Dominguez
Miss Paraguay, Lourdes Arevalos

National Costume Award: Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana. Chosen by a local panel of judges during a two-hour telecast in Los Angeles, California for the delegate who displayed her country's pride and spirit best in costume.

Congeniality Award: Miss Ghana, Angela Asare. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.

Photogenic Award: Miss Philippines, Lia Andrea Ramos. The general public voted for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.