A new way to see the world's beauty

Three weeks ago, the city of Sao Paulo in Brazil, welcomed 89 contestants from different countries to prepare for the 2011 Miss Universe, held last Monday night.

  This beautiful Brazilian city was the stage for the most important beauty pageant in the world, and this time Ximena Navarrete of Mexico, Miss Universe 2010, crowned the winner of this year, Miss Angola, Leila Lopes.

After the bathing suit and the night gown rounds, Lopes was chosen to be one of the Top 5. Along with Miss China, Miss Philippines, Miss Ukraine, and the host country delegate, Miss Brazil, Lopes went for the final questions round.

Wearing a stunning gown with crystals that marvelously contrasted her dark skin, Lopes walked to the stand where the questions bowl was waiting for her to grab a slip.

The question she took was if she could change any physical feature what would it be, so she effortlessly managed to answer by saying "Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing." After a huge ovation, she added "I consider myself a woman gifted with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I plan to follow these for the rest of my life."

Final round of questions has the heaviest influence on the judges' decisions. They do not make the choices by judging the girls' looks only. Since they spend some time around the misses, they get to know them better and their personalities. It is not a one-night result. It has to be wise selection after a deep look into the misses' lives and look for the one who will be more capable of succeeding in the job that she must do as a Miss Universe. 

Misses go through a lot of stress before the night of the contest. Their dresses, make-up and hair styles are specifically chosen beforehand by fashion designers and hair stylists from their native countries. In addition, they have to work on their manners, walking, reading and talking everyday at least 12 hours a day.

This year, as part of the participants' schedule, they experienced volunteerism by being involved with an organization in Sao Paulo who helps children in need. However, in their "free time", they went to enjoy some of the best Brazilian beaches at the rhythm of Samba.

Every year is getting harder to win the Miss Universe. Judges are criticizing with more scrutiny. It was very unusual to see that some of the common and most competitive Latin American countries did not make the second cut. Colombia, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, were not in the Top 10, and that caused more than a bit of commotion, and an added interest among the spectators.

As the 60^th anniversary of the Miss Universe was ending, 25-year-old Leila Lopes became Miss Universe 2011 and the first from Angola. Diversity filled the night as the last 5 finalists were from 5 of the continents. The Miss Universe Organization, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, will soon announce next year's host city.