Miss Angola Leila Lopes Wins Miss Universe 2011!

Being half Venezuelan, the Miss Universe Pageant is in my blood. As the nation with some of the most Miss Universe winners, pageants play a huge role in our national pride. I remember summers in Caracas eating out of a cereal box with the Miss Venezuela contestant who won Miss Universe that year on the front and spending my mornings dreaming about someday being an international beauty queen. This year Miss Venezuela, Vanessa Goncalves, made it into the top 16, but was cut from the top 10 even after winning the overall fan vote for swimsuit. I was a sad and surprised to see this, but I watched on. I’m glad I did because I could not have seen more inner and outer beauty from the remaining contestants. In the end, I was proud to see Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, proudly represent her country on her way to the top. I guess us Venezuelans need to give other countries a chance to shine too.

Before I dreamed of becoming a socialite, I dreamed of being an international beauty queen like Miss Venezuela. Here are my perspective answers to the final five questions. Who knows? I might still have a future in this.

Miss Ukraine final question: If you could trade lives with anyone in history, who would be it and why?

My Answer: I would trade places with Marie Antoinette. She was a strong woman with so many resources at her fingertips, but she misused them frivolously. I would go back and use her wealth to help others instead of for personal gain. Perhaps then, she wouldn’t have lost her head.

Miss Philippines final question: Would you change your religious beliefs to marry the person you loved? Why or why not?

My Answer: Though I have a lot of respect for religion, I’m actually not religious. But, I would never let something like religion get in between me and someone I love. I would learn as much as I could about their religion and why it is important to them and work it out from there.

Miss China final question: Nude beaches are common. Is public nudity appropriate or inappropriate and why?

My Answer: Customs, traditions, and norms are different in every part of the world. We must respect our differences. The human body is a beautiful thing and as long as it isn’t represented in a vulgar way, I don’t see a problem with nude beaches. It is important for us to be comfortable with our bodies no matter what images the media is portraying.

Miss Brazil final question: What would you do to avoid fighting a war you did not agree with?

My Answer: People go to war when they have lost the will and desire to talk out there problems. I wouldn’t stop talking because once you do, violence is the only option.

Miss Angola final question: If you could change one of your physical characteristics, which one would it be and why?

My Answer: I wouldn’t change anything about my physical appearance. It is the imperfections that make you beautiful and different. Instead, I would take this opportunity to help the people of Operation Smile, a cause I am very passionate about.

Miss Universe 1986, Bárbara Palacios, and I by her jewelry store in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We randomly came across her at breakfast one morning. She is so nice!

Here am in Bárbara Palacios’ jewelry store next to her Miss Universe sash and crown.