Miss Ghana, Angela Asare, is awarded the title of Miss Congeniality by Nancy O’Dell and Carlos Ponce. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss Philippines, Lia Andrea Ramos, is awarded the Miss Photogenic title by Nancy O’Dell and Carlos Ponce. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss Mexico, Priscila Perales, walks on stage as part of the top 10 as a big part of the crowd cheered for her. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss Mexico, Priscila Perales, participates in the swimsuit competition. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss USA, Tara Conner, participates in the swimsuit part of the pageant. She finished fourth. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana is awarded the Miss Best Costume award by Nancy O’Dell and Carlos Ponce. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss USA, Tara Conner shares her excitement with Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Guillieron, as they join Miss Paraguay (Lourdes Arevalos) and Miss Japan (Kurara Chibana) as part of the top five. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana and Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza hold each other’s hand in the final seconds before the announcement of this year’s Miss Universe. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, gets emotional as she is pronounced this year’s Miss Universe. This 18 year-old from Salinas, Puerto Rico will enjoy a year of royalty (Javier Manzano / LAT)
Miss Japan gets comforted by a group of contestants after she finished as first runner up of the 2006 Miss Universe Pageant. (Javier Manzano / LAT)
