Miss Universe 2009

From Yenra

The Miss Universe 2009 competition aired live on the NBC Television Network from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas on Sunday, August 23, 2009.

18 year old Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009, of Mérida, was crowned Miss Universe 2009, by former titleholder Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008 (also Miss Venezuela 2008), and became the 58th Miss Universe. Photo by Darren Decker.

Vying for the coveted 2009 Miss Universe Crown created by Diamond Nexus Labs, the top 10 contestants competing in their BSC Swimwear from left are Rachael Finch, Miss Australia 2009; Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela 2009; Tatum Keshwar, Miss South Africa 2009; Ada Aimee De la Cruz, Miss Dominican Republic 2009; Gona Dragusha, Miss Kosovo 2009; Iveta Lutovska, Miss Czech Republic 2009; Whitney Toyloy, Miss Switzerland 2009; Mayra Matos, Miss Puerto Rico 2009; Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009, and Chloe Mortaud, Miss France 2009.

Miss Universe 2009 evening gown competition.

A view of Atlantis from Paradise Lagoon on August 12, 2009 captured by photographer Matt Petit.

Sofia Rudyeva, Miss Russia 2009; Diana Arno, Miss Estonia 2009; Bianca Elena Constantin, Miss Romania 2009, and Dragana Atlija, Miss Serbia 2009, beachside at Bimini Bay Resort and Marina in Bimini, Bahamas on Saturday, August 8, 2009.

Martine Andraos, Miss Lebanon 2009, and Elham Wagdi, Miss Egypt 2009, pose during a traditional Junkanoo parade in their honor in front of the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort August 12, 2009.

Kristina Kots-Gotlib, Miss Ukraine 2009, photographed by Matt Petit as she visits the Princess Street Gallery in Harbour Island, Bahamas on Tuesday, August 11, 2009.

Sarah Cosic, Miss Croatia 2009, poses for photographer Darren Decker in her BSC Swimwear poolside at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

The 58th Annual Miss Universe Competition will air live from Paradise Island, Bahamas. The glamorous live event, featuring some of the world's most beautiful women, will take place at Atlantis, Paradise Island Resort and air live on NBC and Telemundo.

Venezuelan native Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the telecast.

Each contestant from more than 80 countries around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2009. In recent years, worldwide distribution of the popular competition has topped more than 170 countries.