On Sunday night, Venezuelan beauty Stephania Fernandez was crowned Miss Universe 2009. This is her country’s second consecutive win and it’s sixth overall win in the pageant.

The 18-year-old brunette defeated favorites from Australia and Dominican Republic to become the 58th winner of the diamond crown. The show was broadcast live around the world from the Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas.

Dressed in a flowing red gown, Stefania Fernandez hugged the runner-up from the Dominican Republic and danced in joy when she was announced as the victor.

After the pageant, Fernandez tried to give insight regarding her country’s Miss Universe success: “What do we Venezuelans have?” she mused. “That we are ourselves.”

During the Q and A segment, Fernandez said she believed women have overcome obstacles such as hitting the glass ceiling. “I feel we have reached the level that men are at,” she remarked.

Fernandez is from the city of Merida. She said she did not know whether Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez would receive her since he did not meet with last year’s Venezuelan winner, Mendoza, when she won. However, she did appear optimistic about the possibility: "We'll see, because we are making history," she said.

Pageant co-owner Donald Trump told reporters, "I think this is the most beautiful group of women I've ever seen."

The event included musical performances by Flo Rida, Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland. Judges included actor Dean Cain and supermodel Valeria Mazza.

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