Natalie Glebova is Miss Universe 2005

Canadian beauty Natalie Glebova pips the four latina contestants to the Miss Universe post.

Blue-eyed, brunette Natalie Glebova of Canada was crowned Miss Universe 2005 on Tuesday, besting four finalists from Latin America in the 54th annual Miss Universe pageant held in Bangkok. 

Glebova was the only non-Latino among the five finalists, Puerto Rico's Cynthia Olavarria, Renata Sone of the Dominican Republic, Mexico's Laura Elizondo and Monica Spear of Venezuela. She won the beauty pageant ahead of Olavarria, who was first runner-up. "I feel like this is happening too fast and it's unreal," Glebova told reporters. "It's just starting to sink in. I'm so much looking forward to the year's schedule."

She was chosen by a panel of 12 judges, who included six Americans and Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins of Australia. Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in the audience, having delayed his weekly cabinet meeting to attend the pageant.

The contestants began the event in costumes based on their national dress, and were quickly whittled down to 15 quarter-finalists who paraded in evening gowns before the judges.

Then 10 semi-finalists stepped out in silk scarves, high heels and white swimsuits, before the five finalists endured a live interview involving questions written by each other.

Glebova, who studies information technology management at Toronto's Ryerson University, was born in Russia. She moved to Canada with her parents when she was 12.

So far, there have been 7 American, 4 Venezuelan, and 4 Puerto Rican, Misses Universe. Many other countries have won the contest once or twice.