Asians, Latinas Lead Miss Universe Pack
Miss Indonesia leads poll, while Latinas take second and third
Miss Indonesia is leading the pack in audience-favorite polls.
Miss Universe beauties from Latin America and Asia emerged as the crowd favorites just one day before the cutthroat on-screen competition begins, topping an online poll that got tens of thousands of hits from eager fans.
Miss Indonesia Zivanna Letisha Siregar took first in the poll, sponsored by Miss Universe officials, while Miss Brazil Larissa Costa and Miss Guatemala Lourdes Figueroa took second and third.
Nine of the remaining contestants who ranked in the top 15 in the poll hail from Spanish-speaking countries, and three others are of Asian origin. Miss Czech Republic and Miss Philippines also landed on the list.
Miss USA Kristen Dalton fell in the middle of the poll's list.
Over 50,000 submissions were recorded in the first few days the polls opened on the pageant's Web site -- so officials had to shut the poll down to prevent too-heavy traffic, the AP reported.
The three ladies are the fan favorites to make the pack of 15 finalists, who will be announced on-air Sunday as the pageant is broadcast live on NBC.
The pageant, owned by Donald Trump and hosted in the Bahamas, is being held at the luxurious Atlantis hotel on the tropical island.
Flo Rida, Heidi Montag, Kelly Rowland and David Guetta are set to perform at the star-studded event.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Chicago
Posted Sunday, Aug 23, 2009 - 1:38 AM CST
