STUNNING brunette Jimena Navarette was crowned Miss Universe yesterday after telling judges: “Teach kids family values.”
The 22-year-old, from Guadalajara, Mexico, scooped the beauty contest prize in Las Vegas.
Miss Jamaica Yendi Philipps took second place, Miss Australia Jenista Campbell took third, Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska got fourth, and Miss Philippines Venus Raj—the projected favorite coming into the competition—took fifth place.Jimena, who has been modelling since she was 15, was first to answer an interview question on stage.
And after being asked by Olympic gold-medal figure skater Evan Lysacek how she felt about unsupervised internet use, she told the audience that parents need to be careful and watch over their kids.
She said: “I do believe that the internet is an indispensable, necessary tool for the present time.
“We must be sure to teach them (children) the values that we learned as a family.”
Miss USA Rima Faikh, the first Muslim-American person to win the Miss USA competition, did not make it to the final round.
Jimena is Mexico’s second Miss Universe. Lupita Jones won the title in 1991.
The beauty replaces Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela.
Speaking after her win she said: “I want to give my parents a big hug.
“There was a lot of effort and a lot of sacrifice.”
With fans in some 190 countries watching on television and keeping tabs on
social networks, Jimena and her competitors introduced themselves while wearing over-the-top national costumes.
They then danced in silver and black dresses for the show’s opening number before the top 15 finalists were announced.
The final 15 walked in swimsuits while Cirque du Soleil musicians played Elvis Presley songs.
Then the last ten impressed in beautiful gowns while John Legend and the Roots played a soulful medley.
Jimena won a package of prizes including an undisclosed salary, a luxury New York apartment with living expenses and a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy with housing after her reign.
She also won jewellery, clothes and shoes.
