New Miss Universe collapses, rushed off stage

LOS ANGELES, July 24 (Reuters) The newly crowned Miss Universe, Puerto Rico's Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, collapsed during a post-pageant news conference and was rushed off stage.

Pageant officials said shortly afterward she had passed out.

''She's OK. She's fine,'' said pageant representative Lark Anton shortly afterward she had passed out. ''She got dizzy. Its very hot up here. Her dress is tight as you could see it was beaded and heavy. ... She passed out.'' Earlier pageant officials had called ''Is there a nurse in the house?'' after Mendoza slumped during the media appearance.

The 55th Miss Universe contest was held at the fabled Shrine Auditorium near downtown Los Angeles. It was a homecoming of sorts.

The first Miss Universe pageant was held about 40 km away in Long Beach, California, in 1952.

Reuters SRS DB0925