New Miss Universe, Puerto Rican Mendoza faints after award

By M&C News Jul 24, 2006, 19:00 GMT

Just minutes into her reign as Miss Universe, Miss Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza passed out during a post-pageant news conference, and was rushed offstage Sunday night.

The 5-foot-9 teenager was reported to be okay by pageant officials.

Lark Anton, the pageant spokesperson, told Reuters: "She got dizzy. It's very hot up here. Her dress is tight, as you could see it was beaded and heavy. She passed out."

Anton said that she had eaten during the day, before she fainted at the center of the stage at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, where she had become the 55th Miss Universe.

Donald Trump, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization reported to the press. "Yes, she's fine."

The Puerto Rican beauty beat runner-up Miss Japan, Kurara Chibana, Second runner-up Miss Switzerland, Lauriane Gillieron and the other top five, Miss Paraguay Lourdes Arevalos, and  Miss United States, Tara Conner.

The youngest of the five finalists, Puerto Rican Mendoza waved to photographers several minutes before collapsing. She was moved offstage while the organizer of a post-pageant news conference called for help.

The Miss Universe contest was held at the historic Shrine Auditorium near downtown Los Angeles.