Miss Venezuela Dyana Mendoza was crowned Miss Universe 2008 on Monday in a contest at NHA TRANG, Vietnam (AP). Mendoza, 22, is a 5-foot, 10-inch (178-centimeter), green-eyed beauty who enjoys learning languages and photography. The new Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, was once kidnapped in her homeland and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.

"When I go back to Venezuela I will jump on my family and they will jump on me," said Mendoza. In the meantime, Mendoza said, she is simply looking forward to taking off her high-heeled shoes and massaging her feet. She declined to discuss her kidnapping, which occurred a year and a half ago.

Eighty contestants gathered in the seaside city of Nha Trang, Vietnam, vying to succeed previous Miss Universe Riyo Mori of Japan.The final five contestants included four from Latin America: Miss Mexico, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Colombia and Miss Venezuela. Rounding out the final five was Miss Russia.

They performed in front of a panel of judges that included international fashion experts and Donald Trump Jr., whose father, the real estate magnate and TV star, co-owns the pageant with NBC

Here are some rare hot pics of Dayana Mendoza, taken earlier when she was elected Miss Venezuela. She is really Hotttt...

Some more Miss Universe Contestant's Pics :(Opens in a new window)

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