Latinas were in full swing this weekend at the annual Miss Universe pageant. Held all the way in Moscow, Russia, the epic competition highlighted dozens of international beauties and gave the crown to Venezuela’s Gabriela Isler.
25-year-old Isler looked gorgeous in her sparkling tiara and silver beaded gown. A former flamenco dancer, she stunned the judges (and the one billion viewers) with her sexy swagger and upbeat confidence. Interestingly enough, Gabriela is no stranger to Venezuelan fame, having hosted news programs on the Venevision TV network and modeled in dozens of magazines.
She also grabbed the attention of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, who tweeted,
“Congratulations to Gabriela Isler on her victory! This is a triumph for Venezuela! May God bless you always!”
And for the record, Isler wasn’t the only Latina making waves. Spain’s Patricia Rodrigues was crowned Miss Universe runner-up, beating 83 other contestants.
Miss Dominican Republic, Dulcita Lynn Lieggi, made a few headlines too, after she admitted to the judges that she helped deliver a baby when she was 17!
Though held in Russia, the pageant had its fair share of American judges. Figure skater Tara Lipinski helped pick the winner, as did Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. Tyler, actually asked Gabriela one of the night’s most memorable questions.
When grilled about overcoming her fears, Isler said,
“I believe we should overcome all of our fears and this, in turn, will make us all much stronger.”
As far as hosting duties were concerned. MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown took the reins and dedicated the evening to the victims of the recent Philippines typhoon.
As you can imagine, Gabriela has made a flurry of headlines since receiving her crown. And she’s even finished her first Miss Universe “assignment.” One day after winning the competition, Isler donned a $1 million ruby and diamond jumpsuit for her first official press conference.
Did you watch this year’s Miss Universe pageant? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.
