Miss Universe 2007: Japan’s Rising Sun

We were too hung over on barbecue ribs last night to catch the Miss Universe pageant, and believe it or not, we're kind of sad we missed it. This year's finals featured the first Rastafarian contender, a bald chick, Miss USA falling on stage (and getting booed by the NAFTA-hating Mexico City crowd) and an upset win by Riyo Mori, the tall drink of water from Japan. And because a beauty pageant just isn't a beauty pageant without a topless photo scandal, some old modeling pics of Miss Czech Republic conveniently resurfaced just in time for the event. (We suppose that, technically, she is not wearing a top.) It sounds like it had something for everyone, even if you like to pick your own winner based solely on the swimsuit competition. We'll be keeping an eye on Japan, however, because if they're now adding leggy superbabes to their list of exports there will soon be no stopping them.

· Miss Japan crowned Miss Universe 2007 (story + slideshow @ yahoo.com)
· Miss Japan upsets Universe (brisbanetimes.com.au)
· Lucie Hadasova Topless Pictures Heat Up Miss Universe Contest (toxicmagazine.com)
· Miss Universe 2007 (missuniverse.com)

Previously: New Miss Great Britain Yet To Be Brought Down By Scandal, Miss Australia "Nude" Scandal, Celebrity Cameltoe Watch™: Rachel Smith, Miss USA 2007, Meet (And Grope!) Miss Nevada, (Former) Miss Great Britain Danielle Lloyd in Playboy, Miss Universe 2006, Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005