Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, was crowned Miss Universe 2009 at the pageant in Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. The 18-year-old Fernandez is the sixth Venezuelan to win the title. The first runner-up, Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimee De La Cruz, will assume the duties of Miss Universe if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Live From Planet Hollywood on TLC LINWOOD, N.J., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- President and CEO of the Miss America Organization, Art McMaster, announced today that the 2010 Miss America Pageant will return to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for a week of preliminary competitions, culminating in a live telecast on TLC, Saturday, January 30 at 8 p.m.

Miss Puerto Rico will compete in the Miss America Pageant in January for the first time since 1961, organizers said. The 2010 Miss America Pageant will showcase 53 women live on TLC from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Live From Planet Hollywood on TLC LINWOOD, N.J., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time since 1961, Miss Puerto Rico will be competing in the Miss America Pageant in January 2010.

Beauty pageant organizers were investigating Sunday who doused a contestant's evening gowns with pepper spray and spiked her makeup, causing her to break out in hives.