Miss USA, Brook Mahealani Lee, was crowned the 1997 Miss Universe Friday night in this multicultural, tropical setting chosen by first-time pageant owner Donald Trump.
Lee, 26, of Pearl City, Hawaii, is in the master's program for communication at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.Miss Venezuela, 23-year-old Marena Bencomo, was the first runner-up, and Miss Trinidad and Tobago, 24-year-old Margot Bourgeois, was second runner-up.
Contestants from 74 countries vied for the title at the Miami Beach Convention Center, where an enormous stage was flanked by Art Deco buildings and palm trees. The two-hour telecast was seen by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide.
Prizes include a $40,000 employment contract with the pageant, $10,000 in cash, a $10,000 shopping spree and a complete swim and sportswear wardrobe.
George Hamilton, who emceed the show along with Marla Maples Trump, commented in their opening monologue that she had lost weight - about 200 pounds - as they glanced at Donald Trump sitting in the front row.
Trump took the joke in stride, smiling at the reference to the couple's recent announcement they are separating.
Retiring Miss Universe Alicia Machado, whose reign was marked by controversy over her weight, got a boost from someone in the audience holding a sign saying, "We love you just the way you are."
The night began with the Parade of Nations. Each delegate walked on stage in a costume representing her nation and stated her name, country and a brief detail about her homeland.
Miss Colombia won the costume contest for a golden form-fitting dress with matching headdress. Second place went to Miss Honduras for a multicolored sequined dress with a Carmen Miranda-style headdress of tropical fruits. Third went to Miss Peru for a golden, black and silver strapless with an open midriff and a matching headpiece of feathers and gold.
Miss Philippines, Abbeygale Williamson Arenas, was named most photogenic. Her award was voted on by people who visited the pageant's World Wide Web site on the Internet at www.missuniverse.com.
A new award for distinguished achievement was given to Irene Saez, Miss Universe 1981, who is now the mayor of Caracas, Venezuela.
Miss Australia, Laura Csortan, won the Miss Congeniality award.
Grammy winner Enrique Iglesias performed at the 46th annual pageant with a first-ever English-language version of his Latin hit single "Only You."