Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela has been crowned Miss Universe 2008.
Four Latin Americans made the final five at the 2008 Miss Universe contest, shortly after Miss USA fell down during the evening gown competition for the second year in a row.
It was a nightmare come true for Miss USA Crystle Stewart, a Texan, who tripped on the train of her bejewelled 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 You Tube, where the video was shown over and over again.
Like Smith, Stewart quickly stood up after her fall and continued on as if nothing had happened.
Shortly after Stewart's mishap occurred, the judges narrowed the field to five finalists: Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, Miss Colombia Tailana Vargas, Miss Dominican Republic Marianne Cruz Gonzalez, Miss Mexico Elisa Najera, and Miss Russia Vera Krasova.
The NBC show is being hosted by TV host Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown and broadcast live to hundreds of millions of viewers in 170 countries.
Eighty contestants gathered in the seaside city of Nha Trang, Vietnam, vying to succeed reigning Miss Universe Riyo Mori of Japan.
Representing Australia was 21-year-old Laura Dundovic, who had hoped to emulate Jennifer Hawkins who took the crown in 2004.
The Sydney student survived the swimwear round of 15, and made it through the evening gown section.
But her hopes were shattered when she failed to make it through to the final five.