Venezuelan model Stefania Fernandez won her country its second consecutive title for Miss Universe 2009 Sunday, when she beat out favorites from the Dominican Republic and Australia to win the crown. 

The first runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee de la Cruz, while Miss Kosovo, Gona Dragusha, was second runner-up. The pageant took place at the Atlantis resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Fellow Venezuelan Dayana Mendoza — last year’s Miss Universe — was trying to put the crown on Fernandez when, in all the excitement, she dropped it, before placing it securely on the new winner’s head. Venezuela has won the title six times; only the United States has beat that record with seven wins. Miss Universe is expected to travel around the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research and legislation. The winner receives an undisclosed monetary prize, a $100,000 scholarship to study acting at an academy in New York, a five-day vacation package in the Bahamas for two, a set of jewelry and a complete wardrobe.

"Women who seek the title of Miss Universe are driven by their desires to open for themselves new opportunities in the world of acting and entertainment," Acirema Alayeto, president of Miss Latin America Organization, told AFP.

As for Miss USA, North Carolina’s Kristen Dalton was chosen as one of the top ten finalists but she missed the cut for the top five.

Congratulations to Fernandez, Dalton and all the women who participated in this glittered event!

Click here to see some pageant photos.