Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza Survived Secuestro

Dayana Mendoza may have been crowned Miss Universe based on her breathtaking beauty, but la reina admits that useful street smarts also helped her conquer the game. The former fashion model's survival skills were put to the test two years ago after being kidnapped in Venezuela.

Being completely vanished from las calles of her hometown has inspired the 22-year-old to support the anti-violence initiative "la violencia no es el camino.” In turn, the bella surviver spoke out about her experience:

In reality [the experience] taught me how to manage my emotions, and control myself in any situation, which helped me a lot when it came to the Miss Universe pageant.

Oye, Dayanita definitely deserves street credit for this one! [MTV Tr3s Radio Noticias]

Can't get enough of this femme fatale? Check out Miss Universo chillin' with Daddy Yankee at the New York Latino Film Festival last week!

Right below the hood!

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Daddy Yankee, Dayana Mendoza, Gossip, Latinas, Miss Universe, Venezuela