Miss Angola Crowned Miss Universe 2011

All the Miss Universe 2011 contestants were stunning and poised, but the stunner of them all was Leila Lopes from Angola. The 25 year old model, whose parents immigrated to Angola from Cuba, was crowned Miss Universe on Monday, September 12th, beating 84 contestants who didn’t make the Top 5, and these 4 who did:

First runner up: Miss Ukraine, Olesya Stefanko, age 23
Second place: Miss Brazil, Priscila Machado, age 25
Third place: Miss Philippines, Shamcey Supsup, age 25
Fourth place: Miss China, Zilin Luo

Pageant host Natalie Morales (of NBC “Today”) thought Miss Ukraine might be the first Ukrainian Miss Universe, although she failed to mention that Angola would be a first, too. Judging from fan ranking and the applause when the Top 5 were announced, we really thought it was between Miss Philippines and Miss Angola.

Australia, Costa Rica, France, Portugal and Panama were eliminated after the final evening gown competition. That was like totally weird because we thought Australia, France and Portugal looked amazing.

We didn’t know that Portuguese is the official language of Angola, but it is. Miss Angola, however, used a Spanish translator (from Precision Translating Services) to answer the question she picked from Judge Lea Salonga: What physical trait she would change about herself if she could.

Her response was: “Thank God I am very well satisfied with the way that God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing. I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I plan to follow these through the rest of my life.” She also offered this advice to everyone: “Respect one another.”

Miss Ukraine also used a translator. She told Judge Amelia Vega that although she was also happy being herself, if she did have the chance to change roles with anyone in history, it would be Cleopatra, a very powerful and strong woman, very worthy of respect. The very charming Olesya believes a woman can also be a leader, like Cleopatra.

Miss Philippines told Vivica A. Fox that she would not change her religious beliefs even for love because God is her first love. “If that person loves me,” she said, “should love my God, too.” That reply must have cost her.

Six foot tall Miss China got a lame question from Judge Isabeli Fontana about public nudity that the translator seemed to struggle with herself. Miss China said we should respect other countries customs and be more understanding.

Judge Helio Catroneves asked Miss Brazil what she would do to avoid fighting a war if she didn’t agree with it. Priscila thought teaching people about respect would do the trick.

There has not been a Miss Universe from the continent of Africa since Miss Namibia (Michelle McLean) won in 1997. Last year’s winner was from North America: Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.