MUMBAI: Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Puerto Rico has triumphed in the Miss Universe 2006 competition. In India the show aired on Star World early this morning at 6:30 am.

The 18-year-old delegate from Puerto Rico was crowned at the conclusion of the 55th edition of the show. Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell and actor/singer Carlos Ponce (7th Heaven), hosted the show from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.

Miss Universe 2006 was chosen by an international judging panel which included the television drama Las Vegas star James Lesure; NBC's latest winner from the business based reality show The Apprentice Sean Yazbeck and television writer/creator Marc Cherry Desperate Housewives.

Singer Chelo performed his new song Cha Cha during the show and 28-year-old opera-sensation Vittorio Grigolo performed selections from his debut album In The Hands Of Love. Throughout the two-hour event, the delegates competed in three categories; swimsuit, evening gown and interview.