This morning, I watched the pageant which was held at Ecuador. I knew that the Miss Australia Jennifer Hawkins, a 20-year-old choreographer and avid surfer, will win the pageant. And she won!! She is now known as Miss Universe 2004!!

She is a lovely model whose wavy blond hair, blue-eyed and slim-fitted gold gown glittered during the award ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, she was wearing a lovely sparkling diamond-encrusted crown. Well, it is the second time an Australian has won the pageant since it began in 1952. The other Australian victory belonged to Kerry Anne Wells in 1972, if I am not mistaken. 

The first runner-up, Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA has nice teeth, wonderful smile, so I think she deserves the place. But I couldn't believe it that Miss Paraguay got third-runner up??!! I think that she really deserves to get a better place after all.

In the days prior to the contest, Miss Bolivia Gabriela Oviedo caused a furore after she called herself a tall white woman. And not one of the short Indian peasants for which she said her nation is widely known. Several Bolivians called for her resignation over the remarks, for which Oviedo later apologised.

Miss Universe 2004 - Jennifer Hawkins