A Recap Of How Dayana Mendoza Of Venezuela Became Miss Universe 2008

Did you awake this morning under the impression that you were the best and brightest bikini-clad body in all the universe? Well, you’re wrong. That honor goes to Dayana Mendoza from Venezuela, who won the title of “Miss Universe 2008″ in Vietnam. A big honor, to be sure, especially since so many contestants are ineligible to compete, given we don’t even know of their respective planets existence quite yet. So what’s Ms. Mendoza all about?:

Ms. Mendoza is 22 years-old and her career ambition is to become an Interior Designer. She also enjoys photography and is interested in advertising.

Question! If the pageant is called “Miss Universe,” does it not sound somewhat incongruous to refer to its contestants as “Ms?” Is the secret not out already? In any case, that little blurb above doesn’t really give a complete picture of Dayana. She’s actually had a pretty intriguing life! Let’s follow her journey to the crown, after the jump:

So, why is Dayana worthy of being called the Most Awesome Woman In All The Universe? Here’s a look at the criteria for being crowned Miss Universe.

Swimsuit Competition

Personally, we think a lot of it has to do with wearing a cape with your bathing suit. Dayana is the first one out, in all her lime green splendor.

National Costume Competition

Interesting fact! As her national costume clearly shows, Dayana Mendoza is part Wookie.

Evening Gown

The evening gown portion, our personal favorite part of the evening, did not disappoint, especially given that Dayana has also worked as a professional model for Versace and Roberto Cavalli. God, these dresses are so tacky that even Walter Mercado is like “Don’t you think that’s a bit much?” Dayana comes in at 6:05.

Final Question

Latinas ruled the Top 5 (Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Dominican Republic and… Russia), as hosts Jerry Springer and Melanie B so awkwardly announced. We kind of just want to listen to the translator over and over. Dayana’s reply comes at 4:30, in which the the Amazonas state native — who speaks Spanish, English and Italian fluently — shows she has something of a sense of humor:

“Men think that the fastest way to go to a point is to go straight. Women know that the faster way to go to a point is to go to the curves.”

Congrats, Dayana!

She hopes to use her platform to educate the world on HIV and AIDS when she’s not living rent-free in a New York City apartment, posing with her $120,000 tiara, going through a gift bag brimming over with designer clothing and accessories, spending her $100,000 stipend for a two-year course at the New York Film Academy. OoOoOo, prestigious! They advertise on the sides of buses!

Additionally, Dayana is a kidnapping survivor, which beats double-jointed baton-twirling lesbians who breathe fire every single time.

Dayana Mendoza [Miss Universe]
Dayana Mendoza [Wikipedia]