It’s hard to believe, but two years in a row, Miss USA has fallen during the evening gown competition at the Miss Universe pageant.  This time it was Miss USA Crystle Stewart of Texas, who was in the Top 10 at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, held in  Nha Trang, Vietnam.  Crystle Stewart looking elegant, suddenly tripped on the train of her gown and fell but recovered quickly and gracefully.  Last year, in Mexico, at the Miss Universe 2007 pageant Miss USA Rachel Smith fell and finished fifth.

Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, was crowned Miss Universe 2008.

Crystle Stewart, professional model, entrepreneur and motivational speaker was interviewed prior to the pageant and expressed her support of Barack Obama’s candidacy and remarked upon the significance of Vietnam as the Miss Universe pageant setting.

“I like Barack Obama — just his poise and the way he motivates people — and that’s something that draws me,” said the Texan beauty, who works as a motivational speaker and is writing a book called “Waiting to Win.”

Asked if she would vote for Obama, she said: “That’s a secret, but yes!”

“John McCain is an American hero,” she said of the Republican Party hopeful, a senator from Arizona and former naval pilot who spent five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

“I’m actually kind of torn because I think he’s a great person, he’s older and he might be a little bit wiser,” she told AFP on the eve of the Miss Universe contest, to be broadcast Sunday evening US time.

“But Obama’s on the higher end of the list,” she added.

Stewart said she was proud to represent the United States in an event held in Vietnam, once America’s battlefield enemy, because the show could act as a bridge between the countries and help post-war reconciliation.

“That was 30 years ago, and we had a terrible conflict, but now we’re working together, and I think this will show everyone that USA and Vietnam can be very friendly and cordial to each other,” she said.

Source: Miss USA endorses Obama

Photo credit: Getty Images

Video of Miss USA Crystal Stewart’s fall at Miss Universe 2008 pageant

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Photos & Video: Miss USA Crystle Stewart Falls at Miss Universe 2008 Pageant