MISS PUERTO RICO, ZULEYKA RIVERA CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE® 2006 DURING LIVE NBC TELECAST ON JULY 23RD

环球小姐官方网站：http://www.missuniverse.com/

Los Angeles, California, July 23, 2006 - This evening, during one of the year's most exciting live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Puerto Rico, as MISS UNIVERSE® 2006.

The 18-year-old delegate from Puerto Rico was crowned at the conclusion of the 55th Annual broadcast on NBC live from Los Angeles, California7mM中国英语学习网
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Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell and actor/singer Carlos Ponce (7th Heaven), hosted the live telecast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Commentary was provided by Carson Kressley of Bravo's Queer Eye along with Miss USA 2004, Shandi Finnessey throughout the live telecast.

Miss Universe 2006 was chosen by an international judging panel which included NBC's Las Vegas star James Lesure; NBC's latest winner from The Apprentice, Sean Yazbeck; renowned fashion photographer Patrick McMullan; Project Runway winner Santino Rice; NBC's Deal or No Deal briefcase model Claudia Jordan; Telemundo's Al Rojo Vivo anchor Maria Celeste Arraras; former Miss Universe Amelia Vega; television writer/creator Marc Cherry; former Miss Teen USA and actress, Bridgette Wilson Sampras; comedian Tom Green and former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith.

Throughout the two-hour event, the delegates competed in three categories; swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions the "Top Five" finalists were selected before the crowning. Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 600 hundred million in over 180 countries.

Final Results:

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 Rest of Top Five: 7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron 7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Paraguay, Lourdes Arevalos7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana7mM中国英语学习网
Miss United States, Tara Conner7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera

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Rest of Top Ten: 7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Canada, Alice Panikian 7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Trinidad/Tobago, Kenisha Thom7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Bolivia, Desiree Duran7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera7mM中国英语学习网
Miss United States, Tara Conner7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron 7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Mexico, Priscila Perales7mM中国英语学习网
Miss Colombia, Valerie Dominguez7mM中国英语学习网
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 www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.