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Miss
Japan Crown Miss Universe 2007
Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, a 20 year old dancer was
crowned Miss Universe 2007 last night in Mexico
City, Mexico, competing with women from 77
countries.
Miss Costa Rica, Veronica González, though she
gave her best effort, did not make it to the
final round.
This is the second time tha Japan wins the
crown, the first time was in 1959.
In second and third place were Natália Guimaraes
from Brazil and Ly Jonaitis of Venezuela.
This is the fourth time Mexico has been the host
country and the second time Mexico City the host
city of the Miss Universe pageant. Mexico first
hosted the pageant in Acapulco in 1978. Miss
Universe 1989 was then staged in Cancun and Miss
Universe 1993 was held in Mexico City.
The pageant was co-hosted by Mario Lopez and
Vanessa Minnillo, both first-time hosts of the
Miss Universe pageant. Minnillo, an
Entertainment Tonight correspondent and former
Miss Teen USA 1998, previously hosted the Miss
Teen USA 2004 pageant. Lopez hosted the Miss
Teen USA 1998 pageant (won by Minnillo) and also
co-hosted Miss Teen USA 2003.
Miss USA, Rachel Smith, who was named 4th runner
up, was booed during and loudly jeered during
her final interview. As she answered her
question, there were loud shouts of "Mexico!
Mexico!", which continued until she answered in
Spanish.
This followed a similar incident during Miss
Universe 1993, when that year's Miss USA, Kenya
Moore, was also booed. This may have been due to
Miss USA's incident, when she slipped and fell
during the evening gown competition but despite
that made it into the top five. It has also been
attributed to what is seen as U.S.
unfriendliness toward illegal immigrants by some
Mexicans.
Smith had also been booed during the National
Costume competition, an open-air event held
prior to the final competition where admission
was free to the public.
During all audience attended competitions, there
were loud shouts of "Mexico, Mexico!" in support
of Mexico's delegate Rosa María Ojeda, which was
also similar to events in 1993.
The Miss Universe 2007 pageant was seen live in
Costa Rica on TNT and with a one hour delay on
Teletica, local channel 7, with Spanish
commentary.
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