Finalist Kenisha dazzles

In some ways, Thom upstaged the Latin queen at the Coronation Ball held at the Shrine Auditorium, after the live broadcast of the pageant.

Thom, in an interview from Los Angeles yesterday, said guests at the ball told her they were fascinated by her beauty and performance on stage, and felt that she was their queen.

Bombarded for autographs and pictures, Thom said the attention showered on her kept her away from family and supporters for the entire night.

“Those actions made me feel very appreciated,” she said.

During the live telecast of the show, which Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam attended, one of the announcers described Thom as having the face of the competition.

Thom, who was chosen among the top ten finalists, said it was a great experience for her and felt satisfied she had done her best. She said she did not know what was her final placing, adding the results would be released at a later date.

“The experience was wonderful. I have no regrets and if I had to do it all over again I would.”

Thom, 22, said she felt calm when her name was not among the five finalists.

“When I wasn’t chosen in the top five, God’s presence was with me and that is why I was so calm.

“Before I even came up here (Los Angeles) I had left this whole show in His hands. Therefore, the decision is God’s decision and it was for a reason. It is up to me to see the direction that God wants me to go in.”

About the winner, Thom said” “Puerto Rico is a wonderful person, I wish her all the best. I hope she makes use of all her opportunities because if I were in her shoes I would.”

Mendoza, 18, told reporters after the show, “I always had faith and confidence in myself, but I never knew I was going to win.” She also stated that she hopes to someday star in US and Latin American films.

A shocked Mendoza defeated Japan’s Kurara Chibana, the runner-up, and Miss Switzerland Lauriane Gillieron, who placed third. Paraguay’s Lourdes Arevalos came in fourth with Miss USA Tara Conner rounding off the top five.

Thom said she felt very relaxed yesterday but a bit exhausted, hence the reason for her taking a break in Los Angeles before returning home in two weeks. See Page 21A