Miss Universe 2009 pageant kicked off in Bahamas early on Monday morning (India time) with beauties from Latin America and Asia going in as favourites according to the various polls conducted till Sunday night.
However, disappointment was in store for India as its contestant Ekta Chaudhary failed to make it to the top 15.
Three beauties from Latin America were among the top five finalists chosen to vie for the Miss Universe crown.
The five finalists were from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Kosovo, Australia and Venezuela.
The 15 finalists were selected from among the 80 who appeared in cocktail dresses and then reappeared in bathing suits.
The final 10 will be chosen before the evening gown segment and the final five will take questions from the judges.
Earlier, dozens of beauty queens sporting sunglasses and toting suitcases made an informal parade down a wide hotel hallway Sunday, thrilling tourists as they headed to dress rehearsal hours before the Miss Universe pageant.
Many contestants have suffered from dehydration in recent weeks, and Jewel Selver, Miss Turks and Caicos, went home on Saturday to recuperate, said Esther Swan, Miss Universe spokeswoman. Selver was one of eight contestants from Caribbean islands.
A winner will be crowned by the reigning Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela.
The televised event includes musical performances by Flo Rida, Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland. Hosts are Billy Bush, co-anchor of "Access Hollywood," and Claudia Jordan, former Miss Rhode Island USA who has appeared on several TV shows. Judges include actor Dean Cain and supermodel Valeria Mazza.
THE PERFORMANCES
Heidi Montag jumped onstage in tight sequined pants and a matching bra at the Miss Universe pageant, and gave her first live performance, singing Body Language from her debut album.
Fans cheered on the blonde star of MTV's The Hills, although NBC, which is broadcasting the event in the Bahamas live, blocked out more than half of her performance as they introduced the 15 finalists.
"I think people don't know what to expect, and how can they? It's my first performance live and it's in front of a billion eyes. So I'm very excited to show everyone what I'm coming with," said Montag prior to her performance.
She stuck to simple dance moves, and some appeared a bit stilted although fans cheered constantly.
TMZ.com reported, using unnamed sources, that Montag might not sing because production staffers were worried about her performance and had concerns that she could not remember the lyrics.
Montag had said she was unaware of such criticism and said she was excited about performing live.
"I'm very excited for everybody to see this," she said. "I think a lot of people are expecting something very different."
Three hits in a row
Miss Canada Mariana Valente, center, Miss Angola Nelsa Alves, second left, and Miss Greece Viviana Campanile Zagorianakou, left, wait as they are escorted through the Atlantis resort.
Heady mix, who do you pick!
Miss France Chloe Mortaud, center, Miss Switzerland Whitney Toyloy, right, and Miss Puerto Rico Mayra Matos Perez are the cynosure of all eyes as they walk in a picture of grace.
Asians and Latinos lead
Miss Philippines Bianca Manalo, right, and Miss Colombia Michelle Rouillard, center, walk with other Miss Universe contestants through the Atlantis resort. Behind left is Miss Guam Racine Manley.
Venezuela copyrights beauty crowns.
Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez walks on to practice stets towards the quest for the most coveted crown on that Sunday, across the world.
One way ticket to fame
Miss Norway Eli Landa, center, looking at the camera, waits with other Miss Universe contestants as they are escorted through the Atlantis resort the morning of the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Nassau, Bahamas, Sunday, August 23, 2009. Behind from left to right are Miss Puerto Rico Mayra Matos Perez, Miss Finland Essi Poysti, and Miss Guyana Jenel Cox.
She walks in beauty
Earlier in the day, Miss Universe contestants were escorted through the Atlantis resort the morning of the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Nassau, Bahamas, Sunday, August 23, 2009. Seen here are Miss France Chloe Mortaud, Miss Switzerland Whitney Toyloy, Miss Finland Essi Poysti, Miss Italy Laura Valenti, Miss Montenegro Anja Jovanovic and Miss Puerto Rico Mayra Matos Perez.
Crown fitting settions
Reigning Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela greets audience during the Miss Universe 2009 annual pageant in the Bahamas.
Move along, move it Baby!
More of reality TV star Heidi getting into the groove, tap...tap...tapping!
Side show, glide show
Heidi Montag, reality TV star and model, performs a song during the Miss Universe 2009 annual pageant held at Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas August 23, 2009.
