Miss Angola, Leila Lopes Crowned Miss Universe 2011 During Live NBC Telecast

NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In front of a worldwide audience of approximately one billion viewers, Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, was announced Miss Universe 2011 live from Credicard Hall in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The 60th Annual “MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant” was broadcast live on both NBC and Telemundo.  

Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, has loved pageants since she was a little girl and enjoys reading and cosmetics. The 25 year-old from Benguela, Angola is the first winner from her country.

Andy Cohen, host of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens: Live,” and Natalie Morales, news anchor of NBC’s “Today” hosted the “2011 MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant.” Style Network’s “How Do I Look” Jeannie Mai and Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessy provided skybox fashion commentary throughout the LIVE telecast. Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Bebel Gilberto, and Brazilian native pop singer Claudia Leitte performed.

The judges who sealed the fate of this year’s winner included: Helios Castroneves, Three-time Winner of the Indianapolis 500; Connie Chung, U.S. Broadcast Legend; Isabeli Fontana, Brazilian Supermodel; Vivica Fox, Actress & Television Producer; Adrienne Maloof, from Bravo’s hit series “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”; Lea Salonga, Tony Award Winner and Actress; Farouk Shami, Founder and Chairman of Farouk Systems; Amelia Vega, Miss Universe 2003; and Italo Zanzi, Deputy General Secretary of CONCACAF.

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from nearly 90 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview. Miss Universe 2010, Ximena Navarrete, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast.

Final Results:

First Runner-Up:  Miss Ukraine, Olesia Stefanko will assume the duties of Miss Universe 2011 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner-Up:  Miss Brazil, Priscila Machado.

Rest of Top Five: Miss Philippines, Shamcey Supsup; and Miss China, ZiLin Luo.

Rest of Top Ten: Miss Australia, Scherri-Lee Biggs; Miss Costa Rica, Johanna Solano; Miss France, Laury Thilleman; Miss Panama, Sheldry Saez; and Miss Portugal, Laura Goncalves.

Rest of Top Sixteen:  Miss Kosovo, Aferdita Dreshaj; Miss Colombia, Catalina Robayo; Miss Puerto Rico, Viviana Ortiz; Miss Netherlands, Kelly Weekers; Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella; and Miss Venezuela, Vanessa Goncalves;

One lucky contestant, Miss Portugal, earned an automatic spot in the semifinals thanks to her fans who voted for her in the first-ever Miss Universe global fan vote.

Miss Photogenic Universe™ Award: Miss Sweden, Ronnia Fornstedt. The General public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from pageant sponsor Diamond Nexus Labs.

Miss Congeniality Universe™ Award: Miss Montenegro, Nikolina Loncar. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a gift from Diamond Nexus Labs.

The Miss Universe® 2011 prize package includes: a year's supply of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; a custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus; a shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry; eveningwear wardrobe by Sherri Hill;  a year's supply of nail care products from OPI Products, Inc.; sun care products from Australian Gold; a one-year scholarship (including housing) from the New York Film Academy; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a year-long salary as Miss Universe; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon; modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various New York City events including movie premiers and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; year-long consultation with a fashion stylist; and access to a personal appearance wardrobe.

About MISS UNIVERSE

The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBCUniversal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. The organization is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health issues. For more information, visit: www.missuniverse.com.

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SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization