Miss Universe 2008

Miss Universe 2008
DateJuly 14, 2008[a]
Presenters
EntertainmentLady Gaga
VenueCrown Convention Center, Nha Trang, Vietnam
BroadcasterNBC, Telemundo (international)
VTV (official broadcaster)
Entrants80
Placements15
DebutsKosovo
Withdrawals
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bulgaria
  • Guyana
  • Lebanon
  • Saint Lucia
  • United States Virgin Islands
  • Zambia
Returns
  • Cayman Islands
  • Ghana
  • Guam
  • Ireland
  • Netherlands
  • Sri Lanka
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom
  • Vietnam
WinnerDayana Mendoza
 Venezuela
CongenialityRebeca Moreno
 El Salvador
Best National CostumeGavintra Photijak
 Thailand
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2009 →

Miss Universe 2008 was the 57th Miss Universe pageant, held at the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Vietnam on July 14, 2008. This was the first time that the Miss Universe pageant was broadcast in 1080i High-definition.[1]

At the end of the event, Riyo Mori of Japan crowned Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela as Miss Universe 2008. It was Venezuela's first victory in twelve years, and the fifth victory of the country in the pageant's history.[2]

Contestants from eighty countries and territories competed in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Jerry Springer and member of the UK pop group Spice Girls Mel B.[3] American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga performed in this year's pageant.

The competition also featured the debut of the new CAO Fine Jewelry Crown, which was designed by the Phu Nhuan Jewelry Company and Vietnamese-American jewelry designer Rosalina Lydster. The crown is made with 18k white and yellow gold and platinum, with over 1,000 precious stones including 44 carats (8.8 g) of diamonds. The crown is said to be worth $120,000, and will only be awarded in this edition.[4] The Phoenix Mikimoto Crown will still be used by the winner.


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  1. ^ "Miss Universe 2008". CBS News. 14 July 2008. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  2. ^ Latif, Adrees (14 July 2008). "Venezuelan Mendoza crowned Miss Universe". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Spice Girls' Mel B to Host Miss Universe Pageant". People Magazine. 24 June 2008. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  4. ^ "VnExpress – Vương miện Hoa hậu Hoàn vũ giá 120.000 USD". Archived from the original on 23 June 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2008.