Yendi Phillipps Shines at Miss Universe 2010, placed second

Yendi Phillipps Shines at Miss Universe, placed second


Las Vegas,
August 23, 2010

Yendi Phillipps shinned brilliantly last night at the 59th Annual Miss Universe pageant held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas.

Yendi Phillipps placed a convincing second place and created history as the highest ever finish by a Jamaican in that contest.

Phillipps was truly an inspiration, exuding great poise, confidence and charm. The accomplished Jamaican served early notice of her historic feat when she was named in the final 15, then the final 10 and outshone early favourites Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Ireland to place in the top five.

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned as the winner, but Miss Jamaica captured the hearts of the large audience and millions who watched around the world. Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, of Guadalajara, beat out 88 other women from six continents. Navarrete was the top scoring competitor in the evening gown component of the competition, and was the second-highest scorer in the swimsuit portion. Judges asked Navarrete about the effect that the Internet has on young people and she said it is an indispensable tool.

The second runner-up was Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell; third runner-up, Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska; and fourth runner-up, Miss Philippines, Venus Raj.

Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell won the Miss Congeniality Universe award. Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul won Miss Photogenic Universe and a second award for having the best national costume.

Miss USA Rima Faikh, the first Muslim-American person to win the Miss USA competition, did not make it to the final round.

Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez won the Miss Universe 2009 contest.