Riyo Mori

In May 2007, Ms Riyo Mori made history by becoming the second Japanese woman to be crowned as Miss Universe. The 21 year old Riyo Mori was crowned the 56th Miss Universe by Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera of Puerto Rico. Ms Mori who represented Japan at the event traveled to Mexico city to participate in several events and rehearsals for Miss Universe 2007 , along with other 77 contestants. The 5 ft 81/2 inch Ms Mori, was born in Shizuoka Japan and spent major part of her life in Canada.

Ms Riyo Mori since the age of four began dancing ballet and learnt the art at Quinte Ballet School of Canada. Riyo has spent most of her life focused on her craft. Her mother runs a dance school in their hometown and perhaps it is from her that she developed this passion. She was also accepted in the Broadway Dance Center in New York but ultimately turned down the offer when she realized that she has made it to the finals of Miss Japan. The Miss Universe 2007 revealed that she even had an apartment in New York but having the chance to become Miss Universe was beyond any dream to her.

The classical ballet dancer once stated that she had been encouraged to enter the competition by her grandmother. Ms Mori is a self described modern day samurai and prides herself on having a great sense of independence and justice. The Miss Universe 2007 is indeed independent as at the age of 16 she left her hometown in Japan to study classical ballet in Japan. She ultimately wants to open a international dance school in Japan. The actor proudly notes it that her mother taught her that women can have it all. Riyo intends to spread the message throughout her life that a woman does not have to choose between a family and a career, she can have both. The crowning moment for Ms Riyo Mori came on May 28, 2007 when she gave a befitting reply to the question asked by Elle Magazine fashion director Nina Garcia. The question posed to her was about a lesson she learnt as a child that still affects her life to the present day. To that Ms Mori replied that since childhood she has been dancing and hence has been surrounded by students and teachers. Owing to the interactions with them, she has learned to become always happy, patient and positive in her life. She further asserted that she wished to teach these principles to the next generation. Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori will crown her successor Miss Universe 2008 on July 14, 2008 at the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang city in Vietnam.