Miss Canada, Natalie Glebova Crowned Miss Universe 2005 5/31/05

Miss CANADA, Natalie Glebova Crowned MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2005 During Live NBC Telecast on May 30th

BANGKOK, Thailand, May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- This evening, during one of the year's most exciting live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Natalie Glebova, Miss Canada, as MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2005.

The 23-year-old delegate from Toronto was crowned at the conclusion of the 54th Annual broadcast on NBC LIVE from Bangkok, Thailand. Natalie Glebova is a model and motivational speaker to grade school and high school students.

Miss Universe 2005 was chosen by an international judging panel which included: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Carson Kressley; Executive Producer of NBC hit shows including "Friends" and "Joey," Kevin Bright; "Days of Our Lives" star, Bryan Dattilo; Vice President, Global Cosmetics and Marketing, Procter & Gamble, Anne Martin; Hair Stylist to the stars, Louis Licari; World- Renowned Chef and former Bangkok resident, Jean Georges Vongerichten; Danish Model Heidi Albertsen, Supermodel Cassie Lewis; Telemundo Latin Superstar, Mario Cimarro; Model and Former Miss Ukraine Universe, Alexandra Nikolayenko; Executive Vice President, Director, Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd, Chutinant "Nidnoi" Bhirombhakdi and Miss Universe 1988 from Thailand, Porntip "Bui" Nakhirunkanok Simon. Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell and Billy Bush, hosted the worldwide event.

Throughout the two-hour event, the delegates competed in three categories, swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions the "Top Five" finalists were selected before the crowning. Jennifer Hawkins, Miss Universe 2004, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 600 hundred million in over 180 countries.

Final Results:

First Runner Up: Miss Puerto Rico, Cynthia Olavarria will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2005 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities. 

Second Runner Up: Miss Dominican Republic, Renata Sone Rest of Top Five: Miss Mexico, Laura Elizondo; Miss Venezuela, Monica Spear; Miss Peru, Debora Sulca

Rest of Top Ten: Miss Latvia, Ieva Kokorevica; Miss Switzerland, Fiona Hefti; Miss USA, Chelsea Cooley; Miss Israel, Elena Ralph;

* National Costume Award: Miss Thailand, Chananporn Rosjan. Chosen by a local panel of judges during a two-hour telecast in Bangkok, Thailand for the delegate who displayed her country's pride and spirit best in costume.

* Congeniality Award: U.S. Virgin Islands, Tricia Homer. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.

* Photogenic Award: Miss Philippines, Gionna Cabrera. The general public voted on http://www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.

Sponsors of MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2005 include Mikimoto, "Official Jewelry" sponsor, Preciosa Crystal, "Official Crystal Award;" Tadashi Fashions, "Official Fashion" sponsor; " Farouk Systems, "Official Haircare" sponsor, NINA Shoes, "Official Fashion Footwear," The School for Film and Television and CoverGirl, "Official Cosmetic" sponsor.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE(R), MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) competitions, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC partnership. Utilizing its global grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS Awareness by focusing on women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Global Health Council, Gods Love We Deliver and the United Nations Population Fund's Face-to-Face Campaign, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today. 

SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization

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