Dayana Mendoza, the Miss Venezuela 2008 winner has won the Miss Universe 2008 contest. Dayana was crowned Miss Universe 2008 by her predecessor, Riyo Mori of Japan.

Dayana was tipped to win by the bookies this year, with odds of 600+.

Dayana Mendoza is a professional model who was a finalist at the Elite Model Look International 2001.

She had already won the Miss Universe Best Ao Dai 2008 title, at the start of the contest.

Dayana has traveled extensively to Italy, France, United States, England, Greece, Spain, Germany, Mexico and Peru for Versace, and Roberto Cavalli.

Dayana loves photography, interior design and advertising, and says that the most interesting thing that has happened to her was when she was kidnapped.

The 80 contestants in the Miss Universe 2008 contest, were whittled down to 15. The top 10 comprised Miss USA, Miss Kosovo, Miss Australia, Miss Spain, Miss Mexico, Miss Colombia, Miss USA, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Russia, Miss Italy and Miss Venezuela.

The top five were: first runner-up, Miss Columbia Taliana Vargas, second runner-up Miss Dominica Marianne Cruz, third runner-up Miss Russian Vera Krasova, and the fourth Miss Mexico Elisa Najera.

The top five were all latino contestants. The Miss Universe 2008 show was hosted by Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown.

Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008, ripped on the tail of her gown just as she was about to enter. In the Miss Universe 2007 pageant, Miss USA Rachel Smith also took a fall.