Namibian Model Wins Miss Universe

A 19-year-old model and part-time masseuse from the African nation of Namibia was named Miss Universe on Saturday.

“I’m just the lucky one. My fellow contestants are just as beautiful,” Michelle McLean told reporters.

Miss Colombia, 21-year-old university student Paola Turbay, was first runner-up, and Miss India, 20-year-old model Madhushri Sapre, took third place. There were 78 contestants.

McLean won $250,000 and a sports car.

Asked if it was odd that a white woman should represent a nation with a predominantly black population, McLean said her country’s contest was open to all, black and white.

“It was an opportunity for some girl to take, and I took that opportunity,” she said.

McLean, who stands almost 6 feet tall and has light brown hair and brown eyes, was a surprise winner. She topped none of the individual judging categories, which included interviews and swimsuit and evening gown competitions.

McLean comes from a nation which won independence from neighboring South Africa only two years ago. She declared that she did not believe in the apartheid system of racial segregation.

“I’ve grown up in a country which is free for all and democratic for all,” she said.