Stefania Fernandez, Miss Venezuela Crowned Miss Universe 2009

Ferndez, the Miss Universe 2009 Picture from MSNBC

The crowned Miss Universe 2009 is Latina beauty Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, 18 where she inherited the Miss Universe crown from another Venezuelan, Dayana Mendoza, who won the competition in 2008. She bested young ladies from 83 countries (not 84 as earlier reported), including Bianca Manalo, the Philippines’ bet to the contest this year.

Fernandez, 18, bested 83 contestants for the title, including first runner up Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de la Cruz. Kosovo was named second runner up, Australia third and the contestant from Puerto Rico was fourth runner up.

The official decision was made at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas by a 12-person judging panel that included Andre Leon Talley, the editor-at-large for American Vogue, actor Dean Cain, and supermodel Valeria Mazza.

Congratulations to Miss Venezuela for winning the Miss Universe 2009 title!

Watch this video as Fernandez jumps for joy when she was announced as the winner: