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Leila Luiliana da Costa Viera Lopes from Angola was crowned Miss Universe 2011, while Shamcey Supsup from the Philippines finished Third Runner-Up in ceremonies held at Sao Paolo, Brazil, and aired on local TV Tuesday morning.
The 25-year old Ms. Lopes from Benguela, Angola bested 88 other candidates from around the world.
During the question-and-answer portion, Ms. Lopes was asked by Filipina theater actress Lea Salonga – “If you could change one of your physical characteristics, which one will it be and why?”
Through an interpreter, Ms. Lopes replied that she is very happy about how she looked that she would not change a thing. Ms. Lopes (who became the first from Angola to win Miss Universe in the pageant’s 60-year history) was crowned by last year’s winner, Ximena Navarrete from Mexico.
Wearing a silver and transluscent white long gown, Ms. Supsup placed Third Runner-Up after answering a question from American actress and television producer Vivica A. Fox. Ms. Fox asked Ms. Supsup if she would marry someone who is of a different religion.
The 25-year old architecture graduate from General Santos City said she will not marry a man that will require her to change her religious beliefs, saying – “The first person that I love is God.”
Ms. Supsup, who graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines, was an early fan favorite – receiving the most number of online votes before the Miss Universe telecast from Sao Paolo’s Credicard Hall.
During the broadcast aired on ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.’s Channel 2, Ms Supsup received the second highest fan votes from the Internet during the swimsuit and evening gown competitions, before emerging as the online fan favorite after the question-and-answer portion. Olesya Stefanko from Ukraine was First Runner Up, while Brazil’s Priscila Machado was Second Runner-up. Zilin Luo of China was the Fourth Runner-Up.

Leila Lopes.

Newly crowned Miss Universe Leila Lopes hopes her victory will allow her to assist her native Angola further escape its history of war and impoverishment and said she plans to focus on combating HIV around the globe.
Speaking in a timid voice early Tuesday shortly after taking the crown in South America’s largest city, the 25-year-old Lopes said that “as Miss Angola I’ve already done a lot to help my people.”
“I’ve worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs” – she said. “I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more.”
Responding to questions – Lopes said that she has never had cosmetic surgery of any kind and that her three tips for beauty were to get a lot of sleep, use sun block even when it’s not sunny and to drink lots of water. She said her smile was her best weapon in the competition.
Asked about racism in light of the fact that she’s one of the few blacks ever crowned Miss Universe, Lopes said that “any racist needs to seek help. It’s not normal in the 21st century to think in that way.”
Lopes is Angola’s first winner. She beat out 88 other competitors to win the title during the 60th anniversary of the world’s biggest beauty pageant. She replaces last year’s winner, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico.
She deftly handled the interview question that is asked of the remaining top five contestants. She was questioned about what physical trait she would change if she could.
“Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing” – Lopes said. “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.”

Leila Lopes (25) from Angola was crowned Miss Universe, beating out 88 competitors. In a brunette-dominated field of flat-stomached, leggy contestants, Lopes’ sweet smile and hairstyle – up in topknot, not long cascading curls – set her apart from the start. She’s also one of few black women ever to snag the crown, reports AP, and she’s Angola’s first winner.
Speaking in a timid voice after the pageant last night in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Lopes said her smile was her biggest weapon. She also told reporters that she has never had cosmetic surgery and that her three tips for beauty were to get a lot of sleep, use sun block even when it’s not sunny and to drink lots of water.
When asked about racism, Lopes said that “any racist needs to seek help. It’s not normal in the 21st century to think in that way.”
Lopes also said that “as Miss Angola I’ve already done a lot to help my people.
“I’ve worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs” – she said. “I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more.”
Her interview question wasn’t particularly tough. She was asked what physical trait she would change if she could. “Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing” – Lopes said. “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.”
The first runner-up was Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine and the second runner-up was Priscila Machado of Brazil. Miss Philippines took the third spot and Miss China took the fourth.