SAO PAULO (AP) — Leila Lopes from Angola was crowned Miss Universe Monday night, smoothly handling an interview question about what physical trait she would change if she could by stating it was her inner beauty and principles that counted most.

The 25-year-old Lopes is Angola's first winner. She beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world's biggest beauty pageant. She replaces last year's winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.

"Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Lopes said when asked her interview question. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

The first runner-up was 23-year-old Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine and the second runner-up was Priscila Machado of Brazil. The third was Miss Philippines and the fourth Miss China.

Contestants from 89 nations on six continents spent the past three weeks in Sao Paulo, trying to learn samba dance steps, visiting impoverished children and kicking a football around for cameras as the globe's biggest beauty contest is held in Brazil for the first time.

"It was well deserved, we were cheering for her all along," said 36-year-old Sao Paulo resident Carolina Rocha, a fan who attended the event. "Her smile and her friendliness was what set her apart from the others. She also answered her question very well, that likely helped her a lot."

Before the contest began, judges offered little insight into who they thought might win.

"I know my job and I'll be tough, but fair," said pageant judge and journalist Connie Chung. "You have to keep in mind that these women are not objects just to be looked at. They're to be taken seriously. I want to choose somebody I take seriously and the world takes seriously, too."

Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe organization, was hyped for the night.

"It's our 60th anniversary, it's a very big show," she said. "We're anticipating close to a billion viewers from around the world."

Shugart said it was fitting the globe's biggest beauty pageant be held in Brazil at this time, as the nation prepares to host some major events in the coming years

[Edited 9/12/11 21:19pm]

Awwww...she's super cute.

swimsuit! swimsuit!

She's lovely.

After a nail biter of a finale, Miss Universe 2011 was crowned Monday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The winner: Miss Angola Leila Lopes, who beat out 88 contenders to win the world's largest beauty pageant Monday night.

The 25-year-old beauty queen pledged to help Angola move past its history of war and impoverishment. She also plans to focus on HIV advocacy worldwide.

"As Miss Angola I've already done a lot to help my people," Lopes said. "I've worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs ... I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more."

The soft spoken beauty offered down to earth advice when asked about her three favorite beauty tips: Get plenty of sleep, always use sunblock and drink lots of water. She asserted that she's never had plastic surgery.

"Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Lopes said, responding to the question of what part of her body she'd change. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

Lopes was also asked about racism in light of the fact that she's one of the few black women to earn the Miss Universe crown. Lopes responded, "any racist needs to seek help."

"It's not normal in the 21st century to think in that way," she said.

I only saw the last few minutes and I must say she is more stunning than her competitors. Who knew Angola chicks were bangin' like that!

Hopefully Leila's new position and newfound fame will draw more attention and aid to the social ills plaguing her homeland. Let beauty bring beauty.

I'm happy she won, but I have to admit I only watched a few minutes of this pageant early on. I saw when they were selecting the 16 semifinalists, and while all of them are gorgeous (and I certainly wouldn't mind doing some delicously nasty things with them in bed ), there was something a little unnerving about seeing all the contestants with the same look, the same hairstyle, and the same plastic-looking smiles on their faces. It sort of reminded me of the Stepford Wives. At least Miss Angola had her hair up in a bun.

So BEAUTIFUL !

Congrats to her !

SCNDLS said:

After a nail biter of a finale, Miss Universe 2011 was crowned Monday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The winner: Miss Angola Leila Lopes, who beat out 88 contenders to win the world's largest beauty pageant Monday night.

The 25-year-old beauty queen pledged to help Angola move past its history of war and impoverishment. She also plans to focus on HIV advocacy worldwide.

"As Miss Angola I've already done a lot to help my people," Lopes said. "I've worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs ... I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more."

The soft spoken beauty offered down to earth advice when asked about her three favorite beauty tips: Get plenty of sleep, always use sunblock and drink lots of water. She asserted that she's never had plastic surgery.

"Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Lopes said, responding to the question of what part of her body she'd change. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."

Lopes was also asked about racism in light of the fact that she's one of the few black women to earn the Miss Universe crown. Lopes responded, "any racist needs to seek help."

"It's not normal in the 21st century to think in that way," she said.

Best pic of her

Once again someone from Earth wins the Miss Universe

Beautiful. Congrats to her.

Lovely.............I mean: LOVE Lay.

Lawd Aint nothing uglier than envy. Stay pressed Miss France.

Miss Universe Drama: Miss France Hates on Miss Angola

She's beautiful

I'm sorry are these negatives???

“She was the only girl I didn’t know very well. We didn’t see her much; she was very discreet. She was often in jeans and not wearing makeup. We were all surprised by her win. Many girls made efforts that were not rewarded. I don’t know, something is missing in her temperament. The fact that the competition was held in Brazil surely played a role.”

Bitch, please! Maybe you ain't win cuz you ain't that cute.

SCNDLS said:

I'm sorry are these negatives??? :confuse:

“She was the only girl I didn’t know very well. We didn’t see her much; she was very discreet. She was often in jeans and not wearing makeup. We were all surprised by her win. Many girls made efforts that were not rewarded. I don’t know, something is missing in her temperament. The fact that the competition was held in Brazil surely played a role.”

Bitch, please! Maybe you ain't win cuz you ain't that cute.

Ain't it just comical?

So she didn't hang around with the other plastics. Go wipe the running mascara from your eyes, ladies.

Congrats to her! She's beautiful and appears very poised and graceful. She wears the crown well...

Ahh, about time.

She is stunning. Her legs are chocoyummies.

Me gots jungle fever.

SC, I used to think you were white..lol

Often I'm underwhelmed when I see who gets crowned Miss World or Miss Universe. It's not that the women aren't attractive, as they all are, but for me personally they don't tend to be physically what I really go for as a dream woman, as in a truly stunning whole 'nother level of beautiful kind of woman worthy of such a title, that really makes me think 'Dayum!'. This girl, though, is fine as hell.

728huey said:

I'm happy she won, but I have to admit I only watched a few minutes of this pageant early on. I saw when they were selecting the 16 semifinalists, and while all of them are gorgeous (and I certainly wouldn't mind doing some delicously nasty things with them in bed ), there was something a little unnerving about seeing all the contestants with the same look, the same hairstyle, and the same plastic-looking smiles on their faces. It sort of reminded me of the Stepford Wives. At least Miss Angola had her hair up in a bun.

I felt the same way. All the finalists looked the same to me except Miss China and Miss Angola. I couldn't tell the others apart. Same hair style, same smile, same teeth

Angola had different expressions and it didn't look plastic.

Glad Angola won. She was gorgeous, intelligent, charming, and did I say gorgeous?

[Edited 9/18/11 13:15pm]

[Edited 9/18/11 13:14pm]

2freaky4church1 said:

SC, I used to think you were white..lol

WTF??? Ummmm, no hun.