Miss Puerto Rico crowned Miss Universe, collapses

Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza

Pageant officials immediately said the lithe 5-foot-9 18-year-old was all right and had fainted.

"She's OK. She's fine," pageant representative Lark Anton told Reuters. "She got dizzy. It's very hot up here. Her dress is tight -- as you could see it was beaded and heavy. She passed out."

Having lingered on stage after a news conference, Mendoza was facing the back of the stage, leaning on some assistants when her face fell to her chest, her new tiara atop her head. She appeared to lean in this fashion for about 10 seconds and then collapsed in the arms of pageant assistants.

She was rushed offstage, while the organiser of a post-pageant press conference called for aid. Within a minute, Anton said Mendoza was fine and had merely fainted.

During her news conference, Mendoza said she would carry out the work of the Miss Universe organisation, which is to work to help those with HIV/AIDS.

The Miss Universe contest was held at the fabled Shrine Auditorium near downtown Los Angeles.

Ending her year as Miss Universe was Canadian Natalie Glebova.