Miss Japan Riyo Mori crowned Miss Universe 2007

Riyo Mori won easily Miss Japan and now the 20-year-old owns the crown of the 2007 Miss Universe pageant.

Miss Japan Riyo Mori crowned Miss Universe 2007 For a second time the Miss Universe crown goes to Japan, and Riyo Mori was overcome with emotion when she was voted the new Miss Universe last night in Mexico City. The odds were heavily stacked against the Japanese dancer, the British bookmaker Bet365 offering 50/1 to win.

Traditionally, she was crowned by the 2006 Miss Universe - Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico. Riyo Mori, a dancer by profession, admitted in an interview before the pageant that she had to go to France to learn the etiquette and interview skills needed for the 2007 Miss Universe competition.

Miss USA Rachel Smith slipped and fell during the night gown competition, but managed to finish fourth runner up, despite the little mishap.

First Runner Up: Miss Brazil, Natalia Guimaraes

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 Universe 2007 interesting fact - all top 5 contestants were brunettes.

05/29/2007