Flickr Beauties: Miss Universe Ximena Navarrete

Ximena Navarrete Rosete will never forget the night of August 23, 2010. In the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas (more famous for blood-spattered boxing matches than perfumed pageants), this Guadalajara born 22-year-old became the second Miss Universe from Mexico (the first was Lupita Jones, who won in 1991).

Unlike most Miss Universe winners, Navarrete managed to avoid bursting into tears when the jury’s verdict was announced, mainly thanks to a strong dose of realism. “I never thought that I was going to end up with the crown on my head,” said Navarrete. “Obviously, when I decided to go to the event, it was because I wanted to win; but also, I had the idea that only two things could happen, so it would not be the shock of my life if I lost.”