Dayana Mendoza is a model, Miss Venezuela 2007 and the newly crowned Miss Universe 2008th She beat 79 other candidates to win Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant, 13 July 2008, and became the fifth Miss Venezuela to win the prestigious title of Miss Universe. Mendoza was the first winner of the competition from Venezuela since Miss Universe 1996 winner Alicia Machado, making her the first Venezuelan Miss Universe in 21 century.