Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler with Donald Trump. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV Source: AFP
Gabriela Isler from Venezuela adjusts her crown after winning the 2013 Miss Universe pageant. Picture: AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin Source: AP
A 25-year-old Venezuelan television presenter and flamenco dancer, Gabriela Isler, has been crowned Miss Universe in Moscow in a glittering ceremony.
Judges, including rock star Steven Tyler from Aerosmith, picked the winner from a total of 86 contestants.
Last year's winner Olivia Culpo (who represented the United States) placed a diamond crown on the head of Isler, who wore a silver rhinestone studded evening dress.
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In the excitement just after the announcement, the tiara fell off Isler's head as she was being crowned and she caught it laughing.
Patricia Rodrigues of Spain was the runner-up.
It marks the third time Miss Venezuela has won the Miss Universe competition in six years.
Stefania Fernandez took the title in 2009 and Dayana Mendoza won in 2008.
Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler competes in the swimsuit round during the 2013 Miss Universe competition. Picture: AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV Source: AFP
Hosts Thomas Roberts and ex-Spice Girl Melanie Brown dedicated the show to the people suffering from the typhoon in the Philippines.
"We send our very best, our thoughts. We dedicate tonight's show to you'' Roberts said.
All 86 contestants initially appeared on stage in red and black cocktail dresses. They then changed into red and black bikinis.
The judges then whittled down the contestants to a final 16, who faced off in a bikini round, carrying white fur stoles.
Then the women were narrowed down to a final 10, who strutted on the stage in elaborate sequined evening gowns.
Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009 — also Miss Venezuela. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY Source: AFP
Host country Russia was eliminated immediately, prompting boos in the audience.
The decision to stage the show in Moscow has sparked a fresh debate over Russia's new law banning "homosexual propaganda'', a measure that prompted the original US co-host Andy Cohen, who is gay, to pull out.
On the other hand, his replacement Roberts, who is also openly gay, has justified his attendance while condemning Russia's homophobic legislation, saying he hopes to be a positive example to the gay community.
"I think I'm here to promote that people like me deserve equal rights, because we are no different than anyone else,'' Roberts told AFP.
The owner of the show's organisation, outspoken US property magnate Donald Trump, acknowledged concerns about holding the contest in Russia due to the gay rights situation.
Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008 — also Miss Venezuela. Source: AFP
"Certainly as you know it has been an issue and it was not taken very lightly. I talked to a lot of people,'' Trump said.
But Trump said the show's participants had all wanted to come and he praised Roberts.
"As you know, Thomas is gay. He's very proud to be here. And he's going to do a fantastic job.''
Trump also warned the security leaker Edward Snowden, who has received asylum in Russia after revealing details of massive surveillance operations, that he was barred.
"Message to Edward Snowden, you're banned from Miss Universe. Unless you want me to take you back home to face justice!'' he wrote.
Russia won Miss Universe in 2002, but the policewoman Oksana Fyodorova was dethroned after US shock jock Howard Stern provoked her into chatting about her sex life. She now presents a
The contest, whose slogan is ``confidently beautiful,'' was first held in 1952 in Palm Beach in the United States. It still requires the women not to be married or pregnant.
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