5 women remain in Miss Universe pageant after gown contest, interview last competition

5 remain in Miss Universe after donning gowns

LAS VEGAS — The Miss Universe pageant has been whittled to its final five contestants after swimsuit and evening gown competitions.

Now, it’s all about their interview skills.

Contestants from Ireland, Albania, South Africa, Guatemala and Puerto Rico were ousted Monday night after walking a Las Vegas stage in long, flowing gowns. Earlier they strutted the stage in violet bikinis.

The five finalists are: 22-year-old Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, 19-year-old Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell, 24-year-old Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps, 23-year-old Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska and 22-year-old Miss Philippines Venus Raj.

Campbell won the Miss Congeniality Universe award. Miss Thailand Fonthip Watcharatrakul won Miss Photogenic Universe and a second award for having the best national costume.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Just 10 contestants remain in the hunt for the Miss Universe title after a swimsuit competition.

Contestants from Belgium, France, Russia, Colombia and the Czech Republic were eliminated Monday night after modeling purple bikinis for judges, a Las Vegas Strip audience and a worldwide TV broadcast.

The finalists include: 20-year-old Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell, 24-year-old Miss Albania Angela Martini, 22-year-old Miss Philippines Venus Raj, 24-year-old Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps and 22-year-old Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete.

Also in are: 22-year-old Miss South Africa Nicole Flint, 20-year-old Miss Guatemala Jessica Scheel, 19-year-old Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell, 23-year-old Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska and 21-year-old Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Paola Vicente.