It’s a crowning achievement for Gabriela Isler…
The 25-year-old Venezuelan beauty queen has been named the new Miss Universe.
Isler, who appears on Venezuela’s Venevision television network and is an accomplished flamenco dancer, was crowned Saturday night at the end of the pageant held at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall.
With the win, Isler has given Venezuela the country’s third Miss Universe title in six years.
Within minutes of Isler’s crowning in Moscow, President Nicolas Maduro sent his congratulations over Twitter, celebrating her performance as a “triumph for Venezuela.”
Venezuela has won more major international beauty competitions than any other nation, including seven Miss Universe titles.
In the excitement just after the announcement, the tiara fell off Isler’s head as she was being crowned by Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo of the United States. Isler caught the crown laughing.
Spain’s Patricia Rodrigues was the runner-up, with four of the five finalists representing Latin American countries. Miss Ecuador Constanza Baez and Miss Brazil Jekelyne Oliveira, finished 2nd and 4th, respectively. The only non-Latina finalist was third runner-up Ariella Arida, Miss Philippines.
This year’s beauty pageant was judged by Aerosmith frontman and lead singer Steven Tyler, Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurants’ Chef Nobu, Olympic figure skating gold medalist Tara Lipinski, television personality Carol Alt, supermodel Anne V. and Russian pop star Philip Kirkorov.
