Miss Japan, Riyo Mori Crowned MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2007 During Live NBC Telecast on May 28th

Miss Japan, Riyo Mori Crowned MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2007 During Live NBC Telecast on May 28th

MEXICO CITY, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- This evening, during one of the year's most exciting live international television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, as MISS UNIVERSE(R) 2007.

Ms. Mori is 20 years-old and has been dancing since she was 4. She loves traveling the world and enjoys visiting museums and watching musicals.

The judging panel for the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant included NBC's "Heroes" James Kyson Lee, NBC's "Deal or No Deal" briefcase model Lindsay Clubine, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, rocker Dave Navarro, World and Olympic figure skating champion Michelle Kwan, fashion designer Marc Bouwer, Novela Star Mauricio Islas, "Project Runway" judge and Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia, and former Miss Universes Dayanara Torres (1993) and Christiane Martel (1953).

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from 77 countries around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit; evening gown; and personality interview. Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 1 billion in over 170 countries.

   Final Results:    First Runner Up:       Miss Brazil, Natalia Guimaraes will assume the                          duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2007 if the titleholder for                          some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.    Second Runner Up:      Miss Venezuela, Ly Jonaitis    Rest of Top Five:      Miss Korea, Honey Lee; and Miss USA, Rachel Smith.    Rest of Top Ten:       Miss India, Puja Gupta; Miss Angola, Micaela Reis;                          Miss Tanzania, Flaviana Matata; Miss Nicaragua,                          Xiomara Blandino; and Miss Mexico, Rosa Maria Ojeda                          Cuen.    Rest of Top Fifteen:   Miss Thailand, Farung Yuthithum; Miss Denmark, Zak                          lina; Sojic; Miss Slovenia, Tjasa Kokalj; Miss                          Ukraine, Lyudmyla Bikmullina; and Miss Czech                          Republic, Lucie Hadasova.    Miss Photogenic Award: Miss Philippines, Anna Theresa Licaros. The general                          public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who                          exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.                          She received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from                          Rogaska Crystal.    Congeniality Award:    Miss China, Ningning Zhang.  This award reflects                          the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers,                          who voted for her as the most congenial,                          charismatic and inspirational participant. She also                          received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from                          Rogaska Crystal.   

The MISS UNIVERSE (R) 2007 prize package includes: Official Miss UNIVERSE Mikimoto pearl tiara; 2 Year Scholarship from The NY Film Academy in NYC; custom designed wardrobe by Tadashi; National and International multi-media advertising campaign and a complete denim wardrobe from YMI Jeanswear; Swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand; Shoe wardrobe from Nina; A Ritmo Mundo Jumbo Jet Mystery Dial time piece; Year-long supply of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; Membership to Gravity Fitness and papering at John Barrett Salon; Fashion Portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; Consultation with stylist Billie Causieestko; New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses; professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization and Trump Model Management; and a personal appearance wardrobe.

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 Universal 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 Latino Commission on AIDS, Global Health Council and God's Love We Deliver, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.

Source: The Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Grace Niu, Sr. Press Manager of NBC, +1-818-840-3542,
grace.niu@nbcuni.com; Dara Busch of Rubenstein Public Relations,
+1-212-843-8079, dbusch@rubensteinpr.com; Lark-Marie Anton, +1-212-373-4892,
lanton@missuniverse.com, or Esther Swan, +1-212-373-4870,
eswan@missuniverse.com, or Joyce Lee, +1-212-373-4983, jlee@missuniverse.com,
all of The Miss Universe Organization

Web site: www.missuniverse.com

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Profile: International Entertainment