Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza is Miss Universe

** A little offbeat here…congrats to Rivera Mendoza

Miss Puerto Rico – Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza is the new Miss Universe.

Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza shared a nervous emotional hug with first runner-up, Kurara Chibana of Japan, moments before the winner was announced, then clasped her hands to her mouth in amazement as her name was called.

She beamed as the crown was placed on her head but briefly fainted after a post-pageant news conference. She quickly recovered after being given liquids, said Miss Universe spokeswoman Esther Swan.

But there was more drama to come as the newly crowned Miss Universe passed out during a post-pageant news conference and was rushed off stage.

Source

The top five contestants (L-R) Miss Switzerland Lauriane Gillieron, Miss Paraguay Lourdes Arevalos, Miss Japan Kurara Chibana, Miss USA Tara Conner and Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera. Miss Puerto Rico was crowned Miss Universe 2006

via Yahoo