Miss Universe 2011 Leila's Lopes's Winning Statement
Angola now gets the spotlight on the map
"I wouldn't change a thing," said Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes, when asked what she would change in her physical characteristics, if given a chance.
Leila Lopes, 24, a business management student in London, was born in the Angolan province of Benguela. She is the first to bring home to her country the Miss Universe crown.
Tony-award winning international actress Lea Salonga from the Philippines was the one whom Lopes picked for her Q&A. Salonga asked if there was anything she would like to change in her physical attributes.
Translated, Lopes' response was: "Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing."
"I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."
Lopes won the judges over with her enchanting beauty, classic grace, youthful elegance, candor and eloquence.
Outgoing Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete of Mexico graciously relinquished her beauty crown and passed it on to Lopes, who was the epitome of world-class sophistication during her crowning moment.
Lopes stood out among 21 women in her country for the Miss Angola crown in December. In Sao Paulo this Monday, when she vied for an international title, she won over 88 other contestants.
Aside from emerging as Miss Angola, Leila also brought home the Miss Photogenic award in the competition last year. In Sao Paulo, it was Ronnia Fornstedt from Sweden who bagged the title.
A report from an Angolan newspaper described Lopes to be passionate about her home country as well as the museums and lifestyle in Europe, where she is currently studying.
Lopes is the fourth African woman to be crowned Miss Universe. The last African who won is Mpule Kwelagobe, Miss Universe 1999 from Botswana.
The final five country ambassadors, who remained poised for the crown towards the end of the competition were: Ukraine (Olesya Stefanko - First Runner-up), Brazil (Priscila Machado - Second runner-up), Philippines (Shamcey Supsup - Third Runner-up), and China (Zilin Luo - Fourth Runner-up)