Dayana Mendoza,Venezuela beauty is Miss universe 2008

Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza is Miss Universe 2008 (Reuters Photo)

Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, has won the Miss Universe pageant. The 22-year-old stunner beats runners-up from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Russia and Mexico to clinch the diamond-studded golden crown.

1st Runner Up: Taliana Vargas (Colombia)

2nd Runner Up: Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic)

3rd Runner Up: Vera Krasova (Russia)

4th Runner Up: Elisa Najera (Mexico)

Top five stunners

After the stunning top ten hopefuls sashayed the ramp, the judges announced the top five as: Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Taliana Vargas (Colombia) and Vera Krasova (Russia)

Best National Costume Award goes to Miss Thailand.

Miss Congeniality is Miss El Salvador

Miss USA trips on stage

For the second year in a row, Miss USA has fallen down during the evening gown competition at the Miss Universe competition. It was a nightmare come true for Miss USA Crystle Stewart, a Texan, who tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown as she made her entrance.

During the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on YouTube, where the video was shown over and over again.

Top ten contestants announced

The finalists walked across the stage in bikinis for the swimsuit competition and the excitement was spectacular when the top 10 contestants were announced.

The top ten finalists are: Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Zana Krasniqi (Kosovo), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Laura Dundovic (Australia), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Claudia Ferraris (Italy), Taliana Vargas (Colombia), Vera Krasova (Russia), Crystle Stewart (USA) and Claudia Moro (Spain).

After narrowing to 10 contestants, the show will move to evening gowns, with the smiling hopefuls walking across the stage to music. From there, five contestants will be eliminated, and the judges will choose the winner from the five remaining.

15 semi-finalists announced

The field is reduced to 15 semi-finalists, including: Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Zana Krasniqi (Kosovo), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Lam Thuy Nguyen (Vietnam), Tansey Coetzee (South Africa), Laura Dundovic (Australia), Hiroko Mima (Japan), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Claudia Ferraris (Italy), Taliana Vargas (Colombia), Vera Krasova (Russia), Jazmin Dammak (Hungary), Eliska Buckova (Czech Republic), Crystle Stewart (USA) and Claudia Moro (Spain).

The 80 contestants gathered in the seaside city of Nha Trang, Vietnam, vying to succeed reigning Miss Universe Riyo Mori of Japan.

Miss Universe 2008: Curtain raiser!

Gates of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam have opened, and hundreds rather thousands of people are thronging the venue while millions across the world have already tuned in to their TV sets to watch eighty of the world’s most beautiful women battle it out for the hot spot – the Miss Universe 2008 crown.

The show is hosted by Jerry Springer as well as former Spice Girl Mel B. The judges panel comprises of Donald Trump Jr., (executive vice president of the Trump Organization); Roberto Cavalli (fashion designer and entrepreneur); Nadine Velazquez (international cover girl); Jennifer Hawkins (television presenter and Miss Universe 2004); Louis Licari (celebrity colorist and “Today Show” ambush makeover expert) and John Nguyen (vice chairman of Hoan Cau, LTD Investment and Construction).

Actress Eesha Koppikhar has also been selected as one of the judges at Miss Universe 2008! And apparently, she’s the first Bollywood actress to judge this particular contest.

Confirming the news from Hong Kong, where she was to board a flight to Vietnam where the contest is taking place, she said, “It all happened at the last minute. I’m so excited! I have an international agent who mailed my details and they thought I was qualified to judge the show. I’m sure I’m going to have a rocking time!”

Apart from the beauties sashaying down the ramp, the pageant promises a power-packed performance by sensational pop star Lady GaGa on her hit number ‘Just Dance’. The thud has rocked several venues around the world and is expected to bring the same excitement to Vietnam.

In a few hours, Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori will hand over the exquisite crown to her successor. The Top 15 finalists will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown, and interview during the broadcast. Also, the winner for Best National Costume, as decided by online votes, will be announced.

It was Bradd pitt who cut the umbilical cords

Angelina Jolie laughed with joy as her newborn twins were delivered and partner Brad Pitt cut their umbilical cords, according to reports.

The couple, who welcomed son Knox Leon and daughter Vivienne Marcheline on Saturday, were together and "calm" during the delivery, with their doctor joking how Pitt "was my assistant."

The actress delivered her twins by Caesarian section at the Fondation Lenval hospital in Nice, France, and there were "absolutely no problems" with the birth.

Jolie's obstetrician, Dr Michael Sussman, tells People.com, "It was an epidural, so she was awake and speaking and laughing. They were happy.

"He (Pitt ) was ... perfectly calm, totally determined, very pleased to be at the birth of his children, very moved and very emotional."

And when asked how long Jolie was expected to stay in the hospital for, he said, "I don't know. She will stay for a few days. You know, in Europe it isn't like in the United States, where the patients go home after three days. They will stay a bit longer until everything is okay.

"The babies are fine. The babies are with the mother and father and they are fine."

The first pictures of the tots have reportedly been sold for $11 million to an as-yet-unnamed U.S. magazine. The couple intends to donate the money to charity.

Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy: Too Close?

It’s always cute to see a girl sporting her man’s clothes, but the reverse situation can be a little creepy, as evidenced by Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy's switch-up yesterday.

The “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” funnyman and his longtime blonde babe girlfriend were spotted strolling along the Malibu beach on the Fourth of July looking very much in love

But when they returned to their beach house, things went awry, as Carrey re-emerged with a very noticeable change in ensemble, reminiscent of Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat” character.

The paparazzi and beach goers alike laughed hysterically at the comedian’s antics, making yesterday’s Independence Day holiday one to remember.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony: Beach Lovin'

After finishing up with a string of South American and European performances with a show in Rome on Wednesday, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have made a much-needed vacation stop before returning to the States.

The "El Cantante" co-star couple were spotted clad in their swimwear earlier today (July 4), enjoying the scenic landscape of Portofino, Italy alongside designer Stefano Gabbana.

And now that Marc has finished up his work overseas, the "I Need You" singer will be launching a string of US shows beginning on July 26th in Universal City, CA.

The Juntos en Concierto series will see $2 donated to the ING Run for Something Better program for every ticket sold - helping the national initiative "fund school-based running and fitness-education programs."

"Through my music, I want to make a difference in the lives of young people across the country," Anthony told in a statement. "One way is by addressing the critical need to help reduce childhood obesity among Latino children."

Kate and Lance's Independence Day Smooch

With their romance in full bloom, Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong joined in on the Fourth of July festivities at pal Courtney Cox’s house on Friday (July 4).

For the celebratory outing, Kate sported a festive hair wrap while carrying her son Ryder - who appeared to be sound asleep - as Lance stood nearby.

According to an insider on the scene, "Lance constantly kept his hand close to her as she smiled adoringly at her newfound love."

Eventually the couple leaned in for a quick, tender kiss before heading in for the party, where, it can be assumed that they kept on with their PDA loving ways!

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Will Smith's School Denies Scientology Links

Bosses at a school funded by actor Will Smith have denied that students will be given lessons in Scientology.

The Hancock star is a close friend of outspoken Scientologist Tom Cruise and was recently forced to deny rumors he too has enrolled in the Church of Scientology.

And Smith, who has founded the New Village Academy in Los Angeles along with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, was also rumored to have instructed teachers at his new school to preach the controversial faith to pupils.

But academy director Jacqueline Olivier has denied the allegations--insisting the school will not focus on any religion in particular.

She says, "We are a secular school, and just like all nonreligious independent schools, faculty and staff do not promote their own religions at school or pass on the beliefs of their particular faith to children."

The school is due to open in September.