2006

Miss Puerto Rico Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza reacts after being named Miss Universe 2006 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles July 23, 2006. Mendoza has the crown placed on her head by outgoing Miss Universe Natalie Glebova (back). (Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)  (REUTERS)

Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, Miss Puerto Rico 2006, right, is crowned by Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova, after winning the Miss Universe 2006 pageant on Sunday, July 23, 2006, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Benjamin Sklar)  (AP)

Miss India 2006, Neha Kapur, posing in her swimsuit in Los Angeles, Monday, July 17, 2006. She will compete for the title of Miss Universe 2006 July 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Darrren Decker) (AP)

Miss Norway Martine Jonassen and Miss France Alexandra Rosenfeld pose at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, Monday, July 17 2006. They will compete for the title of Miss Universe 2006 during the 55th annual pageant in Los Angeles July 23. (AFP Photo/Darren Decker) (AFP)

Miss St. Lucia 2006,Sascha Andrew-Rose, Shivern Peters, Miss St. Vincent,Shivern Peters, and The Grenadines 2006; and Miss St. Martin 2006,Gisella Hilliman, posing in their swimsuits in Los Angeles, Monday, July 17, 2006. She will compete for the title of Miss Universe 2006 July 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Miss Universe, Darrren Decker) (AP)

Elizabeth Gray, Miss New Zealand 2006; Natasa Pinoza, Miss Slovenia 2006; and Fabriella Quesada, Miss Costa Rica 2006, pose with designer Tadashi during registration and fittings for the 2006 Miss Universe competition at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, California, July 7, 2006. They will compete for the title of Miss Universe 2006 on 23 July. (AFP Photo/Miss Universe, DaDECKER\rren Decker) (AFP)

The reigning Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova of Canada (right) poses with 2006 Miss Universe contestant from the USA Tara Conner from Kentucky, in Los Angeles, Friday, July 7, 2006. The Miss Universe pageant will be telecast to a worldwide audience from Los Angeles on July 23. (Reuters/Fred Prouser) (REUTERS)

Miss Canada 2006, Alice Panikian,and Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova, also from Canada, pose during the official 2006 Miss Universe competition welcome dinner at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 11, 2006. Panikian along with others will compete for the title of Miss Universe during the live broadcast of the 55th annual Miss Universe 2006 competition from Los Angeles on July 23. (AP Photo/Miss Universe, Darren Decker)  (AP)

THE WINNING SMILE: Lara reveals what it takes to be a winner in the race for the most beautiful woman in the world.

THE WINNING TOUCH: Femina Miss India applies make-up during a shoot for Delhi Times before departing for the Miss Universe 2000 pageant in Nicosia, Cyprus. (TOI Photo)

Miss Universe Lara Dutta greets her fans on her arrival in Mumbai early Monday morning. (PTI photo)

THE WORLD AT HER FEET: Femina Miss India Lara Dutta displays the shoes that were part of the national costume category. Lara was the first runner-up in the category.

DRESSED TO KILL: Lara Dutta in the dress that saw her as the first runner-up in the national costume category. (TOI Photo)