Miss Angola, Leila Lopes was crowned as Miss Universe 2011 on Monday night. The 25-year-old Leila Lopes is Angola’s first winner ever in this 60 year old beauty pageant. Miss Angola emerged as Miss Universe for the year 20ll beating contestants from 88 countries. She replaces last year’s winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

When asked what physical trait she would change, Lopes replied, “Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me, and I wouldn’t change a thing.” She added, “I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family, and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life.”

Contestants from 89 nations on six continents spent the past three weeks in Sao Paulo, trying to learn samba dance steps, visiting impoverished children and kicking a football around for cameras as the globe’s biggest beauty contest is held in Brazil for the first time.

The first runner-up was 23-year-old Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine and the second runner-up was Priscila Machado of Brazil. The third was Miss Philippines and the fourth Miss China.

Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe organization said “It’s our 60th anniversary; it’s a very big show. We’re anticipating close to a billion viewers from around the world.” Shugart said it was fitting the globe’s biggest beauty pageant be held in Brazil at this time, as the nation prepares to host some major events in the coming years.

“I don’t think there is any doubt in the rest of the world’s mind that Brazil is the place, between hosting the Olympics and hosting the World Cup,” she said. “I love the fact we’re going to kick it off. I always say we’re the ‘World Cup’ of beauty.”

The pageant started as a local bathing suit revue in Long Beach, California, organized by a swimwear company.

Share this:
Share this page via Email Share this page via Stumble Upon Share this page via Digg this Share this page via Facebook Share this page via Twitter