Angola named Miss Universe 2011 - show recap (PHOTOS & VIDEOS)

>>> THE FIRST WORDS OF MISS UNIVERSE, LEILA LOPES








The Miss Universe 2011 pageant went underway at the Credicard Hall in Sao Paulo. Brazil. Tensions ran high and the top 16 finalists were quickly named -- the sign of the true battle for the crown.

With the music of Sergio Mendes' Mas Que Nada, the theme song for the movie 'Rio,' Brazil set the stage as the host country of the competition. It was a fine opening full of color and a spectacular production. The 60th anniversary of the event had a distinct color that was very different, very Rio. The organization of the event was impeccable, which the candidates themselves, had attested to. They'd also thoroughly enjoyed Brazilian hospitality, the music, the Samba and the food.

>>>EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS: MISS UNIVERSE 2011

THE 16 SEMIFINALISTS
France, Laury Thilleman
Kosovo, Aferdita Dreshaj
Colombia, Catalina Robayo
China, Zi Lin Luo
Angola, Leila Lopes
Australia, Scherri-Lee
Puerto Rico, Viviana Ortiz
Brazil, Priscila Machado
Netherlands, Kelly Weekers
USA, Alyssa Campanella
Ukraine, Olesay Stefanko
Panama, Sheldry Saez
Costa Rica, Johanna Solano Lopez
Portugal, Laura Goncalves (named after the first-ever audience vote)
Philippines, Shamcey Supsup
Venezuela, Vanessa Goncalves

SWIMSUITS, MISS VENEZUELA A FAN FAVORITE

With Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte, one of the hottest Brazilian singers, who just recorded a duo with Ricky Martin, the semifinalists strutted their stuff in their tiny bikinis, as fans had their first opportunity to vote for their favorite.

And they clearly chose Venezuelan beauty Vanessa Goncalves, who grabbed an amazing fan ranking of 9.1. The other top four winners included: Miss Philippines, 7.0; Costa Rica, 5.6; Colombia, 5.6; and Ukraine, 5.0. Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, considered a strong judge favorite, was eliminated in this round -- a big surprise for many fans.



ONLY THREE LATINAS AMONG THE TOP 10

Another of the big surprises of the night was the lack of Latina candidates who made it to the top 10, despite being fan favorites. Among the disappointments -- Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Colombia.

Australia, Scherri-Lee
Costa Rica, Johanna Solano Lopez
France, Laury Tilleman
Ukraine, Olesay Stefanko
Portugal, Laura Goncalves
Panama, Sheldry Saez
Phillipines, Shamcey Supsup
Angola, Leila Lopes
Chine, Zi Lin Luo
Brazil, Priscila Machado

EVENING GOWNS

With the charming Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto's sultry vocals in the background, the 10 semifinalists took the stage in magnificent, and magnificently delicate evening gowns, where not a one took the prize for exaggeration or poor taste. The fans again voted for their favorites, and their for top tier was Miss Angola, with a 7.2. (Australia, 3.8; Costa Rica, 6.3; France, 3.9; Ukraine, 4.2; Portugal, 3.9; Panama 2.3; Philippines, 6.7; Angola, 7.2; China, 2.8; Brazil, 6.0).



TOP FIVE CONTESTANTS

Only one Latina was able to make the top 5, and proudly that was Miss Brazil, the host country's gorgeous brunette. The top 5 included:

Ukraine, Olesay Stefanko
Philippines, Shamcey Supsup
China, Zi Lin Luo
Brazil, Priscila Machado
Angola, Leila Lopes

THE DREADED QUESTIONS

- Miss Ukraine
Judge Amelia Vega asked: If you could trade lives with anyone in history, who would it be, and why?
"I simply live my life and I'm very satisfied with it. But if I did have the chance to trade positions with someone I think I would choose Cleopatra. I think she's a very powerful and strong woman who was very much worthy of respect, and I think a woman can also be a leader like Cleopatra."
- Miss Philippines
Judge Vivica Fox asked: Would you change your religious beliefs for the person you love?
"I would not marry that person, because the first person I love is God and if that person loves me, he would have to love God as well".

- Miss China
Isabeli Fontana asked her if public nudity was appropriate or not and why?
"I believe every country has its regulations and we should respect them and be more understanding".

- Miss Brazil
Helio Castreneves asked what she would do in order to avoid war: "First of all, I would like to explain to people that the most essential quality of the human being is respect and no war is based in respect, but in misunderstandings and the lack of education. So I'd say that everyone should respect each other as human beings".

- Miss Angola
Lea Sangola asked her what she would change about her physique: "Thank God I am very satisfied with the way He created me, so I wouldn't change anything. I consider myself a woman with so much inner beauty, with principles and values that I have received from my family and my education, so I plan to stay the same way. I'd also like to give you an advice: respect each other".

AND THE WINNER IS ...

Fourth Runner-Up: Miss China
Third Runner-Up: Miss Philippines
Second Runner-Up: Miss Brazil
First Runner-Up: Miss Ukraine
Miss Universe 2011: Miss Angola

>>> EVENING GOWNS: THE BEST AND WORST:

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