Miss Universe 2006

Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, Miss Puerto Rico, reacts after being named Miss Universe 2006 as she stands with runner-up Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana, in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. Mendoza's reign got off to a rocky start when the 18-year-old fainted briefly after winning the crown. She passed out after posing for pictures and taking questions at a news conference after the show, but was given liquids and quickly recovered.

Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, Miss Puerto Rico, right, is crowned Miss Universe 2006 by Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova of Canada, after winning the pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. Rivera's prizes include a yearlong salary, a New York apartment during her reign, and a modeling contract. Her crown, valued at $250,000, is made of 800 diamonds.

Donald Trump poses with Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, Miss Puerto Rico, after she won the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. The winner, who is from the coastal town of Salinas, said she would continue the pageant's mission of promoting awareness and education about AIDS and HIV.

Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, Miss Puerto Rico, poses during the evening gown competition at the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. Mendoza became the first winner from Puerto Rico since Denise Quinones in 2001 and the fifth from the island in the pageant's 55-year history.

The five finalists hold hands during the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. From left are Lauriane Gillieron, Miss Switzerland; Lourdes Arevalos, Miss Paraguay; Kurara Chibana, Miss Japan; Tara Conner, Miss USA; and Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, Miss Puerto Rico. The pageant was last held in the United States in 1998 in Honolulu.

Hosts Nancy O'Dell and Carlos Ponce take the stage during the opening of the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. The celebrity judging panel included actor James Lesure of "Las Vegas," "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry, actress Bridgette Wilson Sampras, Sean Yazbeck, the newest winner of "The Apprentice," former Dallas Cowboys star Emmitt Smith and 2003 Miss Universe Amelia Vega.

Tara Conner, Miss USA, is seen during the swimsuit competition at the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. Conner was the contest's fourth runner-up. She was vying to become the first U.S. winner since Brook Lee in 1997. The Kentucky native wore a red-white-and-blue jockey outfit and cracked a whip during the opening parade of nations.

Contestants line up during the swimsuit competition at the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. During the two-hour event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview.

Donald Trump, right, applauds while sitting next to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. The Miss Universe Organization, a New York-based partnership between NBC and Trump, has run the contest since June 20, 2002.

Erin McNaught, Miss Australia, introduces herself in her national costume during a taping of the opening number for the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 20, 2006. The Brisbane-born 24-year-old failed to make the first cut at the competition.

Miss Universe contestants dance on stage during the opening of the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006. Only 20 of the original 86 contestants made it to the final show, which aired on NBC. Donald Trump hand-picked five of the 20.

Miss Bolivia, Desiree Duran, was selected as one of 10 finalists during the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006.

Valerie Dominguez, Miss Colombia, reacts after being named a semifinalist during the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006.

Miss France, Alexandra Rosenfeld, kicks while showing off a costume related to her home country during the preliminary competition for Miss Universe 2006 in Los Angeles on July 18, 2006. She was not chosen to be one of the final 20 contestants.

Adrienn Bende, Miss Hungary, poses during the swimsuit competition at the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006.

Miss Israel, Anastacia Entin, poses in her swimsuit during the preliminary competition for Miss Universe 2006 in Los Angeles on July 18, 2006. Despite the raging war between their home countries, Miss Lebanon ,Gabrielle Bou Rached, and Entin set a "wonderful example for the world," said Miss Canada, commending the two candidates who opted to set politics aside by making a lasting friendship.

Anna Litvinova, Miss Russia, poses during the swimsuit competition at the Miss Universe 2006 pageant in Los Angeles on July 23, 2006.

Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Kenisha Thom, walks onstage in her swimsuit during the preliminary competition for Miss Universe 2006 in Los Angeles on July 18, 2006.

Miss United Kingdom, Julie Doherty, walks onstage in a costume related to her home country during the preliminary competition for Miss Universe 2006 in Los Angeles on July 18, 2006.

Miss Uruguay, Fatimih Davila, shows off a costume related to her home country during the preliminary competition for Miss Universe 2006 in Los Angeles on July 18, 2006.