Tue | May 19, 2026

Something extra: The faces of a queen

Published:Wednesday | September 14, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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OMG!: Miss Angola Leila Lopes reacts with tears of joy after being named Miss Universe 2011, before being crowned at the Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Monday.
Sheer joy: Miss Angola Leila Lopes is crowned Miss Universe 2011 by Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, of Mexico.
Check me out!: Miss Angola Leila Lopes models a yellow bikini during the Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday.
Red Stripe Brand Manager Erin Mitchell enjoys the vibe at Absinthe with Leon Goldsmith at the Caribbean Maritime Institute on Saturday September 10. - Contributed
Fabulous!: Miss Angola Leila Lopes in her stunning gown.
Saint International star model Raschell Osbourne in her presentation for Kaelen during New York FashionWeek last weekend. - Contributed
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  • Angolan beauty wins Miss Universe

Angola's first Miss Universe promotes community service, sunblock, and efforts to combat HIV.

"The cynicism about [the] Miss Universe pageant being racist was slammed as Leila Lopes, Miss Angola 2011, won the Miss Universe 2011 crown at Sao Paulo in Brazil on Monday."

Cynical? No cynicism here, especially after reading a little further into the story.

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.

The "timidly" spoken beauty listed among her attributes a love of children and the elderly, and put her astounding looks down to plenty of sleep, sunblock (even when it's not sunny) and plenty of water. Her killer weapon: her smile.

Meantime, she had a message for the racists of the world: "Any racist needs to seek help. It's not normal in the 21st century to think in that way."

- AP