6:40pm ? I arrived at Atlantis on Paradise Island and the bridge traffic is starting to get busy for tonight's big event - The 2009. Miss Universe pageant. Upon arriving at the Imperial Ballroom, I start to feel the excitement and the buzz of Miss Universe.

All the staff are prepared for the Miss Universe 2009 preliminary round where the 84 contestants will compete in the Swimsuit and Evening Gown competition. Security is very tight and they are all the men are dressed in black suits and the ladies with black trousers and black shirts. There is also a refreshment bar outside serving water, soda and of course rum and beer.

6:50pm ? The Imperial Ballroom is looking fantastic with three large screens on the stage and two others on either side.

6:55pm ? the audience if starting to arrive and buy their tickets for the refreshment bar, which is also starting to get busy.

7:17pm ? Everyone is now starting to arrive at the main entrance for the 8:00pm show time kick off. The seating capacity for the Miss Universe 2009 is approx 3500 and they are starting to fill up fast.

7:30pm ? The entrance is now quite congested as everyone is getting shown to their seats. People look really glamorous for this, the major event of the year.

7:45pm ? Some people have brought flags to support their country's contestant. I see flags from all over the world. As the audience is walking to the main entrance of the Atlantis Imperial Ballroom they are stopping to take some pictures of the Miss Universe signs.

7:50pm ? At the press brief we are told that the top 15 will be chosen by the end of the day on Monday and it will be a closely guarded secret with only a handfull of official being informed. The final show next Sunday will be broadcast live on NBC and telecast live on the internet. The judges will also have a one-on-one with the contestants before the decision is made.

8:00pm - The first 12 minutes of the show the contestants are stating their name, country and age. The audience goes wild when the hosting country's contestant Miss Bahamas speaks.

8:15pm ? Dayana Mendoza the Miss Universe 2008 and Mr Ed Fields come on stage as the hosts and announce the ten judges' names. The first segment of the show will be the Swimsuit competition. All the girls will wear the same bikinis - white bikini top and flowery bikini bottoms.

8:20pm ? First up on Miss Albania Hasna Xhukici, ?She has a good sense of humor and cheers up her friends, she is 21 years old?
Miss Angola - Nelsa Alves and is 22 years old
Miss Argentina ? Johanna Lasic, ?The 22 year old Miss Argentina is friends to all animals and loves huts for mutts?
Miss Aruba ? Dianne Croes, ?22 years old and is keen to shoot her pistol, she is trained by her father?
Miss Australia - Rachael Finch, ?She has to wash the bottom of her teeth or she cannot sleep at night and is 21 yearsold?
Miss Bahamas ? Kiara Sherman, the whole audience goes wild and roars and claps for the 26 year old.
Miss Belgium ? Zeynep Sever, ?This 20 year old loves movies especially Bollywood movies, she has a soft spot for indie and hind?
Miss Bolivia ? Dominique Peltier, ?22 year old Miss Bolivia loves to learn about new places that she travels to?
Miss Brazil ? Larissa Costa, ?Loves to have a nice pair of pumps. She loves shoes and has over 40 pairs of high heels. She is 25 years old?
Miss Bulgaria ? Elitsa Lyubenova, ?Says she is the smartest women in the completion and is only 22 years old?
Miss Canada ? Mariana Valente, ?Loves to cook, especially Brazilin food and is 23 years old?
Miss Cayman Islands ? Nicosia Lawson, ?Loves to travel to Europe and Africa and is 26 years old?
Miss China ? Jingyao Wang, ?this 18 year old is proud of her country and one day wants to be a diplomat?
Miss Columbia ? Michelle Rouillard, ?This 22 year old is currently a sales person?
Miss Costa Rica ? Jessica Umana, ? Hopes to have her own pre-school on day so she can teach English?

8:30pm ? The first set of beauty queens has now finished and they are all on stage in a line and all smiling..

8:31pm ? Next up we have.....
Miss Croatia ? Sarah Cosic, ?Loves a good film and Julia Roberts is one of her best actors. Miss Croatia is 20 years old?
Miss Curacao ? Angenie Simon, ?This 24 year old says her eyes are very unusual for her country?
Miss Cyprus ? Klelia Yiasemidoy, ?Miss Cyprus was raised in a small village and has no brothers and sisters and is 20 years old?
Miss Czech Republic - Iveta Lutovska, ?Traveled to Kenya to volunteer at the hospital and is 26 years old?
Miss Dominican Republic ? Ada de la Cruz Ramirez, ?This 23 year old admits to having a sweet tooth?
Miss Ecuador ? Sandra Vinces, ? 19 year old Miss Ecuador love taking pictures of people and has over 50 in her collection?
Miss Egypt ? Elham Wagdi, ?Miss Egypt has a twin sister and claims that they are different as her sister is shy and she is very outgoing. She is 26 years old?
Miss El Salvador ? Mayella Mena, ?Adrenaline rush junkie as she loves rollercoaster?s and want to bungee jump next. She is 21 years old?
Miss Estonia ? Diana Arno, ?This 25 year old loves to set goals for herself?
Miss Ethiopia ? Melat Yante, ?Friends tease her as she is always looking in the mirror at herself?
Miss Finland ? Essi Poysti, ?Always wanted a careere to help others, and maybe eventually become a doctor. She is 22 years old?
Miss France ? Chloe Mortaud, ?19 year old Miss France loves water sports but panics when in deep water?
Miss Georgia ? Lika Orjonikidze, ?Wants to have a dog but the 19 year old lives in an apartment and is not allowed to have a dog?
Miss Germany ? Martina Lee, ?Works as an apprentice and still gets to cut her friends hair. Miss Germany is 23 years old?
Miss Ghana ? Jennifer Koranteng, ?Works at a telecommunications company and is 23 years old.|

8:40pm ? That?s the second set of stunning beauties finished and are all standing on stage together.

8:41pm ? Up now is..
Miss Great Britain ? Clair Cooper
Miss Greece ? Viviana Zagorianakou, ?this 19 year old just loves to have fun?
Miss Guam ? Racine Manley, ? 24 year old Miss Guam has two pet chihuahua?s and loves putting clothes on them?
Miss Guatemala ? Lourdes Figueroa.
Miss Guyana ? Jenel Cox, ?Loves ballroom dancing and writes poetry and is only 19 years old?
Miss Honduras ? Belgica Suarez, ? this is one gilr that you would not mess with, 23 year old Miss Honduras is a black belt in Tay Kwan Do.?
Miss Hungry ? Suzan Budai, ?21 year old Miss Hungry loves to design clothes for her friends?
Miss Iceland ? Ingibjorg Egilsdottir, ?3rd time Miss Iceland loves fishing and loves lobster and is 24 years old?
Miss India ? Ekta Chowdhry, ? 23 year old thinks like a man but look like a girl?
Miss Indonesia ? Zivanna Letisha Siregar, ?Loves romantic places and would love to travel to Europe one day. Miss Indonesia is 20 years old.?
Miss Ireland ? Diana Donnelly, ?Would like to get a masters degree in business studies and is 21 years old.?
Miss Israel- Julia Dyment, ? 20 year old Miss Israel is an adventure junkie and loves to scuba dive?
Miss Italy ? Laura Valenti, ? When she was younger she had a pet chicken and trained the bird to sit on her arm. Miss Italy is 25 years old?
Miss Jamaica ? Carolyn Yapp, ? 25 years old Jamaican Queen loves Europe and traveled there recently.?
Miss Japan ? Emiri Miyasaka, ?Loves to bake and learned by watching her mum. She loves cheesecake.?

8:45pm ? That?s the third set of contestants finished and are now all standing on stage and everyone is clapping and taking pictures..


click HERE for part 2

Click HERE to view the Evening Gown pictures.

Call Atlantis box office on 363-6601 or click HERE for more details.