PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #5

MISS INDIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Ekta Chowdhry

Name: Ekta Chowdhry
Age: 22 years
Height(cm):177
Height(ft): 5'10"

Ekta Choudhary, the confident black-eyed beauty won the Miss India 2009 crown. This 22 year old Delhite possesses the perfect statistics. She stands tall at 5?9.5?, and weighs an enviable 55.5kg. Her hourglass figure can be explained by the stats that read 32-24-36.

Apparently Ekta had dreams of doing so at a very young age. It started in 1994 when a then 7 year old Ekta watched Sushmita Sen win the Miss Universe crown and it was that which sparked her interest in modeling and pageants. The beauty has been modeling for the past two years to get her foot into the industry.Now that she’s achieved the goal that she set for herself at such a young age, Ekta is now aiming even higher.

“Now I want to win the Miss Universe title as I have raised a lot of expectations both for my family and my country. I just want to make everyone happy by bringing the crown back home. So preparations for that will start very soon,” said Ekta to an Indian news agency.

Ekta Choudhary will represent India in the Miss Universe Pageant 2009 in Bahamas on August

MISS UNIVERSE INDONESIA 2009 - Miss Zivanna Letisha Siregar

Name: Zivanna Letisha Siregar
Age: 19
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

MISS IRELAND UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Diane Donnelly

Name: Diane Donnelly
Age: 20
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5'9"


Diane Donnelly (center), a 20-year old model, was crowned Miss Universe Ireland 2009 on June 26th.

The 1.75 m beauty will now represent her country at the Miss Universe pageant to take place in the Bahamas next August.

The Miss Universe Ireland contest is headed by former Miss Ireland Andrea Roche.

MISS ISRAEL UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Adi Rodnitzki

Name: Yulia Liubianitzki
Age: 19
Height(cm):176
Height(ft): 5' 7.5"

The Beautiful girl 19-year old Adi Rodnitzki was crowned Miss Israel 2009 or Israel's Queen of Beauty (IQB) at the beauty pageant held on March 18th in Haifa, Israel. Lovely 20 candidates completed for this event.

The New Beauty Queen is 5' 7.5" tall and will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in The Bahamas next August.

MISS ITALY UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Laura Valenti

Name: Laura Valenti
Age: 25
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5'9"

The Miss Universe Italy 2009 pageant took place yesterday night, at the Palariccione, in Riccione, Italy.

The winner was Laura Valenti, who edged out 23 other beauties from across Italy.

Last year Italy placed among the top 10 in Miss Universe 2008, in Vietnam. Laura will try to keep the Italian streak going.

MISS JAMAICA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Carolyn Yapp

Nama: Carolyn Yapp
Age: 25
Height(cm): 173
Height(ft): 5' 9"

Carolyn Yapp, a 25 year old Interior Designer was crowned Miss Jamaica Universe 2009 on Thursday July 16, in a private ceremony at The Refuge at Villa Ronai, attended by the family and friends of the contestants, as well as producers and organizers from Pulse, licensees for the Jamaica preliminary to Miss Universe.

As Miss Jamaica Universe, Carolyn will get the opportunity to represent Miss Jamaica at Miss Universe 2009 in Nassau, The Bahamas on August 23, 2009 before a worldwide audience of close to one billion persons.

Visibly elated following her win Carolyn says, “It has always been a dream of mine to be an ambassador for my country and this is my chance! I know the competition will be tough but I’m ready to do my country proud and bring the title home.”

First runner-up was Fallon Harris a 21 year old student at the University of the West Indies and fashion model. Third runner-up was budding model, singer and designer, 19 year old Krystina Black. The judges were well known fashion and beauty personalities Barry Moncrieffe, former principal dancer of the NDTC and fashion designer; Gilou Bauer, Curator of the Mutual Life Gallery and Lois Lake-Sherwood, artist, business executive and diplomat. The winner was the universal choice of all the judges.

Pulse made a special appeal to Jamaicans to come forward to compete for the title, despite giving up the license earlier this year, as the Miss Universe Organization prevailed on the Jamaican company to conduct a contest and produce a Miss Universe entrant from Jamaica. This year is considered especially important for Caribbeans, as the event will be held at Atlantis in the Bahamas, next door to Jamaica. This might be a year in which Jamaica has its best chance, given the event’s presence in the region and the potential of the stunningly beautiful Miss Yapp.

MISS JAPAN UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Emiri Miyasaka

Name: Emiri Miyasaka
Age: 25
Height(cm): 171
Height(ft): 5'7"

The new Miss Universe Japan is model Emiri Miyasaka.

She won the title in an event organized by Ines Ligron, the famous national director of Miss Universe Japan.

Emiri will try to become Japan's third Miss Universe, in the Bahamas.

MISS KAZAKHSTAN UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Olga Nikitina

Nama: Olga Nikitina
Age: 20
Hewight(cm): 184
Height(ft): 6' 0"

The new Miss Kazakhstan was crwoned last Saturday (Nov 22, 2008) . The winner is Olga Nikitina (photo), who will represent her country in Miss Universe 2009 and Miss World 2009.

MISS KOREA UNIVERSE - Miss Ree Na

Nama: Ree Na
Age: 22
Height(cm): 168
Height(ft): 5' 6"

Na Re will compete in Miss Universe 2009, the 58th Miss Universe beauty pageant, will be held in 23 August 2009 in Bahamas Islands.

MISS KOSOVO UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Marigona Dragusha

Name: Marigona Dragusha
Age: 18
Height(cm): 173
Height(ft): 5' 8"

18-year-old Marigona Dragusha of Pristina was crowned Miss Universe Kosovo 2009 last Saturday in Pristina.

She will be the second woman to represent Kosovo in Miss Universe, on August 23, in Nassau, Bahamas.

Las year's Miss Kosovo finished the international competition in 6th place.

PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #4

MISS GERMANY UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Martina Lee

Name: Martina Lee
Age: 24
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

Twenty-four year-old Martina Lee was crowned Miss Germany 2009 at the Hotel Park-Inn in Dortmund last night, July 5th.

The gorgeous 1.78 meters tall beauty queen is going to represent Germany at the 58th Miss Universe to be held in Bahamas on August 23rd. She beat 6 other candidates to bag the crown. Her vital statistics of 34-23-32 could has been one of the major factors that propelled her to victory.

MISS GUYANA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Jenel Cox

Name: Jenel Cox
Age: 19
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5' 8"

Gorgeous Jenel Cox won the right to represent Guyana at the 58th edition of Miss Universe to be held in the Paradise Island, Bahamas on August 23rd by winning the Miss Guyana Universe 2009 at the National Cultural Centre.

MISS GHANA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Jennifer Victoria Koranteng

Name: Jennifer Victoria Koranteng
Age: 22
Height(cm): 180
Height(ft): 5'11"

The elegant and articulate 22 year old graduate of the University of Ghana (Psychology Major), Jennifer Victoria Koranteng has been chosen as Miss Universe Ghana 2009 in a closed-selection in Accra.

The 1.80 m beauty will represent Ghana at the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant to be held in the beautiful Paradise Island in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, on August 23 2009.

After several rounds of tests on individual presentation, personality, physical fitness, composure and grace, as well general intelligence, Jennifer scored the most points beating Suzanna Naa Amuah Alberto Darko and Daphne Grace Allotey to 2nd runner-up and 1st runner-up positions respectively. The other contestants were Angela Effum and Matilda Hammond.

The excited winner says she would love to use her voice and new status to support the needy in society and to spell out the importance of education particularly for the girl-child. “I’m expecting to put Ghana on the map and to do very well. So people would know that Ghana is not only a land of gold and timber but also a land of great beauties”, comments Jennifer.

MISS UNIVERSE GREAT BRITAIN 2009 - Miss Clair Cooper

Name: Clair Cooper
Age: 26
Height(cm): 173
Height(ft): 5'8"

In a ceremony which took place in Birmingham over the bank holiday weekend, 26-year-old Clair Cooper from London, was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain 2009.

Clair, a vibrant red-head, will now go on to represent Great Britain at Miss Universe this Summer in the Bahamas.

Runner-ups in the competition were 25-year-old Lydia Yhnell from Newport, and 19 year old Alize Mounter from Rhondda, Cynon, Taff.

The new Miss Universe Great Britain is a pageant veteran. She was Miss Earth England 2007 and a finalist in Miss England (World) 2006.

MISS GREECE UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Vivianna Kampanile

Name: Vivianna Kampanile
Age: 19
Height(cm): 180
Height(ft):5'11"

The Star Hellas (Miss Greece) 2009 pageant took place yesterday night in Athens. Miss Vivianna Kampanile, 19 year old girl with a height of 180cm was crowned as Miss Internationa. She will represent her country to compete Miss Universe 2009 on 23 August 2009 in Bahamas.

MISS GUAM UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Racine Manley

Name: Racine Manley
Age: 24
Height(cm):168
Height(ft): 5'6"

Racine Manley, a 1.68 m-tall beauty from Hagatna, is the new Miss Universe Guam. She will represent her territory in Miss Universe 2009, in the Bahamas.

Guam's best placement in Miss Universe's history came in 1982, when Patty Chong Kerkos placed second, in Lima, Peru.

MISS GUATEMALA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Lourdes Figueroa

Name: Lourdes Figueroa
Age: 20
Height(cm): 177
Height: 5'10"

Lourdes Figueroa, a 20-year old model and student from Guatemala City; and Angelica Guevara from San Marcos, were crowned Miss Guatemala Universe and Miss Guatemala World respectively during an event held at the Gran Tikal Futura Expocenter on May 25th.

Lourdes Figueroa (1.78 m) will compete at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas (August 23) and Angelica Guevara will compete at the Miss World 2009 contest in Johannesburg, South Africa (December 3rd). Ivana Bonilla, Miss Chiquimula, was named Miss Guatemala International and will represent the country at the Miss International 2009 pageant in Macau.

Figueroa was crowned by Miss Guatemala 2007, Alida Boer.

MISS HONDURAS UNIVERSE - Miss Belgica Suarez

Name:Belgica Suarez
Age:
Height(cm):
Height(ft):

MISS HUNGARY UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Zsuzsa Budai

Name: Zsuzsa Budai
Age: 21
Height(cm): 181
Height(ft): 6'0"

Crown as Miss Universe Hungary was favorite Zsuzsa Budai (21, left), who is half Jamaican. The 1.81 m spectacular model from Budapest will travel to the Bahamas next August to compete in the Miss Universe 2009 contest, where she will try to win the first Miss Universe crown for Hungary.

MISS ICELAND UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Ingibjörg Ragnheiður Egilsdóttir

Name: Ingibjörg Ragnheiður Egilsdóttir
Age: 24
Height(cm): 177
Height(ft): 5'10"

The Miss Iceland website confirmed: Ingibjorg Ragnheidur Egilsdottir, who first runner-up of Miss Iceland 2008 beauty contest, will represent her country in 2009 Miss Universe pageant.

PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #3

MISS DOMINICAN UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Ada Aimee de la Cruz

Name: Ada Aimee de la Cruz
Age: 23
Height: 183 cm
Height(ft): 6'0"

Ada Aimee de la Cruz (23) won the Miss Dominican Republic pageant held in Santo Domingo on Sunday, May 16th. The 1.83 m professional model will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas next August. She was crowned by last year's titleholder (and 2nd runner-up in Miss Universe) Marianne Cruz.

Ada de la Cruz is no stranger to the pageant scene. She competed in the Miss Dominican Rep. Universe pageant in 2007, where she reached a Top 10 spot. Afterwards she competed and won the Miss Mundo Dominicana contest, which gave her the right to represent her country at the Miss World 2007 pageant in Sanya, China.

While in Miss World, Ada won the coveted Beach Beauty title and was among the Top 15 semi finalists. She also broke a record with the bookmakers, getting a top spot in all of them until she was tied by Miss China, the eventual winner.

Two years later she returned to the pageant scene, and very strongly. She could easily become the Dominican Republic's second Miss Universe titleholder (Amelia Vega won in 2003).

MISS ECUADOR UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Sandra Vinces

Name: Sandra Vinces
Age: 18
Height(cm): 178
Height (ft): 5' 10"

Miss Ecuador 2009: The Annual Miss Ecuador pageant was won by Sandra Vinces. It took place on March 13th, 2009 in Mantas. 21 contestants completed in the pageant organized by Gamavision.

Sandra Vinces, a 18 year-old student in 1.78 m tall and model from Portoviejo (Manabi), will represent Ecuador at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant next August in the Bahamas.

MISS EGYPT UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Elham Wagdi

Name: Elham Wagdi
Age: 25
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5'9"

Elham Wagdi, a 25-year old dancer, painter, and aerobics instructor from Cairo, was chosen as Miss Egypt Universe 2009 during a casting call held last Monday, as informed by the organizing agency Face 2 Face.

Elham, who stands 1.75 m tall, will represent Egypt at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas next August.

She was 1st runner-up at the Miss Egypt 2005 contest and has also represented the country internationally in events like Miss Earth and Miss Intercontinental.

NUESTRA BELLEZA EL SALVADOR 2009 - Miss Mayella Mena

Name: Mayella Mena
Age: 20
Height(cm): 174
Height(ft): 5'8"

Mayella Mena was crowned Nuestra Belleza El Salvador 2009 last Friday night in the capital city of San Salvador. Her next challenge? Miss Universe, August 23, in the Bahamas.

Special thanks to Michael Knitell

EESTI MISS ESTONIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Diana Arno

Name: Diana Arno
Age: 25
Height(cm): 181
Height (ft): 5' 11"

Eesti Miss Estonia 2009 Beauty Pageant elected from among the three persons in Tallinn on March 12th, 2009.

In the end, the beautiful Diana Arno, 25 years old and 1.81m in height, was crowned Miss Estonia 2009. Diana Arno will represent Estonia at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas.

MISS ETHIOPIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Melat Woldesenbet Yante

Melat Woldesenbet Yante won the title of Ethiopia Top Model 2009 at a casting held last June 2009. She is 20 years old and stands tall at 5'11". Her hometown is Addis Ababa.

Melat was also the Miss Ethiopia Universe 2009 and she will travel to the beautiful islands of Nassau, Bahamas to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2009 Beauty Pageant on August 23.


Melat, 19, who attends the Italian School in Addis Ababa and speaks three languages (Amharic, Italian, English), is also the reigning Miss Ethiopia Universe 2009.

MISS SUOMI (FINLAND) UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Essi Pöysti

Name: Essi Pöysti
Age: 21
Height(cm): 174
Height (ft): 5' 8"

The Annual Miss Finland 2009 Beauty Pageant or locally known as Miss Suomi 2009 was held at MTV3 channel in Helsinki,Finland on March 01, 2009.

A Beauty 21-year old Essi Pöysti of Jyväskylä was crowned Miss Suomi (Finland Universe) 2009.

The new beauty queen stands 1.74 m will represent Finland in Miss Universe 2009 beauty contest next August.

MISS FRANCE UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Cloe Mortaud

Name: Chloe Mortaud
Age: 19
Height(cm) :180
Height(ft) : 5′11″

The Miss France 2009 Pageant came to a close as Chloe Mortaud was crowned Miss France 2009. The Pageant was held in Puy Du Fou in Vendee. Chloe Mortaud represented the southwest region of France, Albigeois-Midi-Pyrénées and will represent France in the upcoming Miss Universe 2009 Pageant. She is the first Miss France winner having a dual citizenship being French and American. Her Mother was an African-American who moved from Mississipi to France several years ago and her Grandmother live in Los Angeles. On the other hand, her father is pure French.

MISS FRENCH POLYNESIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Nanihi Bambridge

Name: Nanihi Bambridge
Age: 18
Height(cm): 171
Height(ft): 5'7"

Nanihi Bambridge (center), a beauty queen 18 year-old, was crowned Miss Polynésie Française (french Polynesia) 2009 during the pageant held at l'Hôtel de ville, in Pirae on 3rd May 2009.

Nanihi Bambridge will now go on to represent the French Polynesia in Miss World 2009 contest. It is not yet confirmed if the winner or one of the runner-ups will also compete in Miss Universe 2009.

MISS GEORGIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Lika Ordzhonikidze

Name: Lika Ordzhonikidze
Age: 18
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5'9"

The Republic of Georgia was reigning that a model from Tbilisi Lika Ordzhonikidze will represent her country in Miss Universe 2009 pageant at the beautiful Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas on August 23.

PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #2

MISS BULGARIA UNIVERSE2009 - Miss Elitsa Lubenova

Name: Elitsa Lubenova
Age: 18
Height(cm): 170
Height (ft): 5'7"

A student and model Antonia Petrova won Miss Bulgaria 2009. The Bulgaria beauty pageant was held on March 14 at the Rainbow Plaza in Sofia. She will Represent Bulgaria in the Miss World 2009 pageant.

18 year old Elitsa Lubenova was first runner up and crowned Miss Bulgaria Universe 2009 . Lubenova, stands 1.70 m, will be going to compete in Miss Universe 2009 pageant in the Bahamas this August

MISS CANADA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Mariana Valente

Name: Mariana Valente
Age: 23
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5'9"

Mariana Valente, a 23-year old student of languages at York University, was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2009 during an event held at the John Bassett Theatre in Toronto on May 16th.

Valente -who was born in Brazil and moved to Canada at age 12- stands 1.75 m tall. She will represent Canada at the Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas on August 23rd.

MISS CAYMAN ISLANDS UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Nicosia Lawson

Name: Nicosia Lawson
Age: 25
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5′9″

This beautiful lady from Georgetown has a Bachelors degree in Economics and also a Bacjelors Degree in Political Science from the University of Ottawa. She wants to focus on her growing business as a magazine mogul and her career in finance. She strives to be a successful entrepreneur.

MISS CHINA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Jing Yao Wang

Name: Jing Yao Wang
Age: 19
Height(cm): 181
Height(ft): 5'11"

Miss Universe China 2009 is Jing Yao Wang, 19 years old, 1.78 m-tall. She won the title earlier this Saturday, in Beijing, and will now get ready to represent her country in the Miss Universe pageant, which will take place in the Bahamas.

The runner-ups were:
1st runner-up: Yu Jun Liu
2nd runner-up: Mei Qi Li

Special thanks to Michael Knitell

MISS COLOMBIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Michelle Rouillard

Name: Michelle Rouillard
Age: 22
Height(cm): 173
Height(ft): 5′8″

Michelle Rouillard is a student of International Business at the Concord University in Canada. She speaks three languages: Spanish, English and French. She has a body measurement of 92-62-92, has green eyes, light brown hair and fair skin. She was crowned Miss Colombia 2008 at the Julio Cesar Turbay Auditorium at Cartagena.

MISS COSTA RICA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Jessica Umaña

Name:Jessica Umaña
Age: 21
Height(cm):175
Height (ft):5'9"

The jury rendered its verdict and the crown of Miss Costa Rica 2009 belongs to Jessica Umaña, who drew a total of 9 finalists seeking to have the honor of being the most beautiful women of Costa Rica.

A great achievement by the way!, Because all participants had sufficient attributes to be worthy representatives of the country to various competitions and activities to which they are invited.

But as in any of these, only one could be the bearer of banda and the crown of Miss Costa Rica 2009: Jessica carried on their shoulders the distinction but also the responsibility of being the most beautiful Costa Rica.

A beautiful new face will grace the landscape of Costa Rica in order to become our ambassador of beauty: Jessica Umaña was chosen as Miss Costa Rica 2009. Jessica took over the crown in a splendid night, sheltered with applause and shouts of support from the public to each of the participants. Nancy Montero was in second place and who would replace Jessica if you are unable to meet commitments under the title, third place went to Natalia Alvarez. Jessica Umaña will represent Costa Rica in the Miss Universe 2009 Pageant inthe Bahamas this coming August.

MISS CROATIA UNIVERSE 2009 -Miss Sarah Ćosić

Name: Sarah Ćosić
Age: 20
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5'10"

The Annual Miss Universe Croatia 2009 Beauty Pageant was held in Croatia's capital city, Zagreb on Sunday night March 01, 2009. Sarah Ćosić, 20 year-old an Economics student from the city of Split, was crowned Miss Universe Croatia 2009.

The new beauty queen stands 1.78 m will represent Croatia in Miss Universe 2009 beauty contest next August.

MISS CURACAO UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Ashanta Macauly

Name: Ashanta Macauly
Age: 23
Height(cm): 165
Height(ft): 5′5″

Ashanta Mafalda Macauly, currently Miss Curacao Universe 2009 is a student of the University of the Nederlands Antilles and is taking up Management Business and Communication. She is 23 years old and she loves reading and cycling.

MISS CYPRUS UNIVERSE 2009 - Kielia Giasemidou

Name: Kielia Giasemidou
Age: 19
Height(cm): 168
Height(ft): 5′6″

The Pancyprian Official Beauty Contest 2008 finals was held at the Pavilion in Nicosia. Crowned as Star Cyprus 2008 was Kielia Giasemidou, she will represent her country at the Miss Universe 2009 Beauty Pageant. Declared as Miss Cyprus 2008 is Josefina Sekki, she will travel to Kiev, Ukraine to compete for Miss World 2008 Beauty Contest. Competing for Miss International 2008 Beauty Contest in Macau is the 1st runner-up, Demetra Makriyianni. While the 2nd runner-up Mari Vasileiou will compete for the title of Miss Europe 2008.

MISS CZECH REPUBLIC UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Iveta Lutovská

Name: Iveta Lutovská
Age: 25
Height(cm): 181
Height(ft): 5′11″


Ceska Miss 2009, the Miss Czech Republic Universe beauty pageant, was held in Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC on Saturday night Febuary 28, 2009. Iveta Lutovska, 25, was crowned Miss Czech Republic Universe (Ceska Miss) 2009.

Iveta Lutovska, the 1.83-tall winner, will represent Czech Republic in Miss Universe 2009 pageant. If she wins, Iveta will become the first ever Czech Miss Universe.

Iveta has also in the past, won the title of Miss Model of the World 2007.

PROFILES OF THE CONTESTANTS #1

MISS AFGHANISTAN UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Zallascht Sadat

Name: Zallascht Sadat
Age: 24
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5′9″

After several years Afghanistan will rejoin the Miss Universe Pageant as Zallascht Sadat was officially crowned Miss Afghanistan 2008 in the Miss Afghanistan beauty pageant held by Afghan Models in Hamburg, Germany. Madina Taher, who represented Germany in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, was one of the jurors. Zallascht is the first official elected Miss Afghanistan since Zohra Yousuf Daoud was elected in 1972.

She is currently working on her master’s degree in business administration and creating a non-profit organization to support the fight against AIDS/HIV in Afghanistan.

She will represent Afghanistan in the Miss Earth 2009, Miss Universe 2009 (to be held in the Bahamas on August 30, 2009), and the Miss World 2009 pageant (to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa this December).

Her name Zallascht is Pashto and means Golden Branch.

MISS ALBANIA UNIVERSE - Miss Hasna Xhukuci

Name: Hasna Xhukuci

MISS ANGOLA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Nelsa Suraia Pombal Alves

Name: Nelsa Suraia Pombal Alves
Age: 21
Height(cm): 175
Height(ft): 5′9″

Crowned Miss Angola 2009 in Cine Atlantico in Luanda last December 20, 2008, Nelsa Alves will represent Angola in the upcoming Miss Universe 2009. On a press interview after winning the title she said the her mission was to fight AIDS in her country. Apart from the title Nelsa Alves also received a brand new car, US$3000 cash, jewelleries and a modeling contract.

MISS ARGENTINA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Joahanna Mariel Lasic

Name: Joahanna Mariel Lasic
Age: 20
Height(cm): 182
Height(ft): 6'0"

The Miss Universe Argentina 2009 finals took place at the Salón de las Américas in NH Hotel Provincial in Mar del Plata.

Joahanna, who was crowned by the current Miss Universe, Venezuela's Dayana Mendoza, will represent Argentina in Miss Universe® 2009 in the Bahamas this August.

MISS ARUBA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Dianne Shanella Croes

Name: Dianne Shanella Croes
Age: 21
Height(cm): 178
Height(ft): 5′10″

21 year old Diane Croes won the Miss Aruba 2008 title last August 2, 2008 in the Renaissance Convention Center and will represent Aruba on the Miss Universe 2009 Beauty Pageant.

MISS AUSTRALIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Rachael Finch

Name: Rachael Finch
Age: 20
Height(cm): 176
Heighjt(ft): 5'9"

Rachael Finch (20), a TV presenter and model from Townsville, was crowned Miss Universe Australia 2009 during the annual pageant held in Sydney on April 22nd.

The 1.76 m beauty will compete at the Miss Universe 2009 contest in the Bahamas next August.

Originally from Townsville (Queensland), Finch beat more than 7,000 entrants and 31 other finalists to take out the title at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Ms Finch, who now lives in Alexandria, Sydney, works for Platinum Television, a company that provides video contents for bars and events, and is an ambassador for the Heart Foundation, the event organisers said.

MISS BAHAMAS UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Kiara Sherman

Name: Kiara Sherman
Age: 25
Height(cm): 168
Height(ft):5'6"

The host country for Miss Universe 2009 has chosen its own representative for that pageant: Kiara Sherman, 25, (photo) was crowned Miss Bahamas Universe 2009 and will now represent the Bahamas when Miss Universe takes place in her country in August.

There's a good chance that Kiara Sherman, the new Miss Bahamas Universe, will become her country's first ever Miss Universe semi-finalist.

The pageant took place at the Nassau's Rainforest Theatre.

MISS BELGIUM UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Zeynep Sever

Name: Zeynep Sever
Age: 19
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5′9″

Zeynep Sever won the Miss Belgium 2009 title las December 2008, only 18 years old at that time. Being born in Turkey she also joined the Miss Turkey 2007 beauty pageant. She always dreamed to be Miss Belgium and represent Belgium internationally and also wants to try her luck as an actress. This year she will be Belgium’s representative on both Miss World and Miss Universe.

MISS BOLIVIA UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Noemi Rosa Dominique Peltier De Liotta

Name: Noemi Rosa Dominique Peltier De Liotta
Age: 21
Height(cm): 180
Height(ft): 5′11″

Cochabamba, Dominique Peltier was chosen as the most beautiful of Bolivia.

The titles settled during the preparatory process before the final choice were assigned to Miss Cochabamba, the highest of all, who won a title for his elegance; Miss Santa Cruz won the Best picture; Miss La Paz, the Best hair; Miss Beni , Tarija and Miss Best Smile, Best Face, and was elected Miss Cochabamba Girl AeroSur.

Ocho finalistasTras a round knockout qualifier the jury gave its verdict that found that :-

Miss Chuquisaca, Patricia Nunez is the third finalist, Miss La Paz, Carolina Urquiola was the second finalist and Miss Santa Cruz, Susana Cow finalist. Miss the first Littoral, Nicole Añez will go to Miss Americas, Miss. Cochabamba, Paula Peñarrieta, we represent in Miss Bolivia Tierra.La Miss Tarija, Laura Olivera, participate in the Miss International contest, Miss Beni, Jackeline Arias is Miss World 2008 Bolivia and the winner was Miss Cochabamba, Dominique Peltier, who won the scepter Miss Bolivia Universe 2008.

MISS BRAZIL UNIVERSE 2009 - Miss Larissa Costa

Name: Larissa Costa
Age: 25
Height(cm): 176
Height(ft): 5'9"

Miss Rio Grande do Norte, was the surprising winner of the Miss Brazil Universe pageant, last Saturday night. She will compete in Miss Universe 2009. Rayanne Moraes of Minas Gerais, was the runner-up, and will compete in Miss International.