Ladies and Gentlemen, I ‘d like to introduce you to the Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006. The lithe 5-foot-9, 18-year-old Rivera was the youngest of the final five candidates which included Switzerland, Japan, Paraguay and the United States. Donald Trump was also there to grace the occasion on Sunday the 23rd of July.
Rivera was crowned with a diamond-and-pearl-studded headpiece valued at $250,000. She wore a dress made entirely of silver beads (yes, that’s all). Her interests apparently vary, ranging from sports ( jogging, spinning and weightlifting) to modeling. Her aspirations are to be a crossover actress working in the Latino acting community and in the American cinema. She has already worked on several commercials and TV programs where she “had to learn {her} lines and deliver them well”.
“The truth is, I still do not believe it,” the 18-year-old student and model said after she was crowned.In her pageant biography, Rivera explained what made her different from the other contestants.
“Physically, I have been told by modeling agencies and friends that I represent the consummate Latino look,” she said. “Everything in my face expresses our heritage, our music and the wonderful mixes of races that we are.” Rivera is the first winner from Puerto Rico since Denise Quinones in 2001, and the fifth overall in the pageant’s 55-year history
Miss Universe 2006 was chosen by an international judging panel which included NBC’s Las Vegas actor James Lesure of “Las Vegas”; “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry; actress Bridgette Wilson Sampras; Sean Yazbeck, newest winner of “The Apprentice”; former Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith; anchor Maria Celeste Arraras of Telemundo’s “Al Rojo Vivo”; Claudia Jordan, briefcase model on “Deal or No Deal”; fashion photographer Patrick McMullan, and 2003 Miss Universe Amelia Vega.
First Runner Up: Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana will assume the duties of Miss Universe 2006 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.
Second Runner Up: Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron
Top Five:
Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron
Miss Paraguay, Lourdes Arevalos
Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana
Miss United States, Tara Conner
Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera
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 on NBC.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.
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