Heidi Montag picture

“Fans cheered on the blonde star of MTV’s “The Hills,” although NBC, which is broadcasting the event in the Bahamas live, blocked out more than half of her performance as they introduced the 15 finalists.” Link

Miss USA Kristen Dalton is still in the hunt as Miss Universe 2009 cuts down the competitors to the top 10.

Miss Universe 2009 Top 10
* Puerto Rico – Mayra Matos
* Czech Republic – Iveta Lutovská
* Dominican Republic – Ada de la Cruz
* Australia – Rachael Finch
* Kosovo – Marigona Dragusha
* United States – Kristen Dalton
* Swaziland – Whitney Toyloy
* France – Chloé Mortaud
* South Africa – Tatum Keshwar
* Venezuela – Stefanía Fernández

Kristen Dalton picture

The top 15 contestants for the 2009 Miss Universe have been decided. Here they are:

Miss Universe Top 15 Winners
1. Puerto Rico
2. Iceland
3. Albania
4. Czech Republic
5. Belgium
6. Dominican Republic
7. Sweden
8. Kosovo
9. Australia
10. France
11. Switzerland
12. South Africa
13. USA
14. Croatia
15. Venezuela

“Now with just hours away from the biggest day in these women’s lives, the Miss Universe 2009 Favorites remain the same, as tonight’s pageant will be a showdown between Miss Australia: Rachael Finch vs. Miss Mexico: Karla Carrillo.” Link

Rachael Finch picture

“The more than 80 contestants will appear in cocktail dresses when they walk onstage as the pageant starts. Judges will announce the 15 finalists, who will reappear in bathing suits. The final 10 will be chosen before the evening gown segment. A winner will be crowned by the reigning Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela.” Link

Tia Shorts picture

“Mariana Bridi da Costa fell ill on December 30, and was initially diagnosed with kidney stones, Agence-France Presse reported Thursday. But, it turned out she had come down with the infection pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium, which can often prove fatal. The infection quickly spread, causing her to go back to the hospital for tests. That’s when doctors discovered septicemia had set into her limbs, cutting off circulation, the news agency reported. As a result, doctors were forced to amputate.” [Link]

“Zuniga lost her title as Queen of Hispanic America, said Promociones Gloria, the Bolivian group that organizes the event. Vivian Noronha Cia of Brazil now takes the tiara “as consequence of the events known to the public in which Miss Laura Zuniga… was involved,” Promociones Gloria said in a brief statement. ” [Link]

“A reigning Mexican beauty queen from the drug-plagued state of Sinaloa was arrested with suspected gang members in a truck filled guns and ammunition, police said Tuesday. Miss Sinaloa 2008 Laura Zuniga stared at the ground, with her flowing dark hair concealing her face, as she stood squeezed between seven alleged gunmen lined up before journalists. Soldiers wearing ski masks guarded the 23-year-old model and the suspects.” [Link]