A 23-year-old Canadian named Natalie Glebova has been crowned Miss Universe 2005 -- becoming only the second Canadian to win the competition.

"I am absolutely thrilled and overwhelmed right now," Glebova told CTV's Canada AM on Tuesday, in a phone interview from the Thai capital of Bangkok where the pageant was held.

"I can't believe this happened. I'm so happy. It's fantastic."

Glebova, a model and Ryerson University grad from Toronto, was picked over runner-up Cynthia Olavarria of Puerto Rico after answering a question about what she thought her biggest challenge in life had been.

"I always try to maintain a positive outlook on life,'' she said, adding that being optimistic was most challenging.

It was a big win for Glebova, who said she only watched the Miss Universe pageant for the first time about three years ago.

"I really didn't expect a whole lot out of this. I just went in to have a good time and kind of see what happens, and I turned out the winner," she said.

Glebova was born in Russia and moved to Canada with her parents when she was 12. In addition to modelling, she also studied information technology management at Ryerson.

She is a trained pianist and composer. According to the Miss Universe website, she says her most unusual talent "is being able to read upside down just as well right-side up."

"This (question) was seen by the judges and I thought I have to put something a little more unusual than just playing a musical instrument," Glebova said.

"Because, you know, a lot of people have that talent. But I would say definitely one of my talents is music. I love to play and compose."

She said she planned to use her role as Miss Universe to raise awareness and money for HIV/AIDS research.

Karen Baldwin of London, Ont., was the first Canadian to win the Miss Universe contest, in 1982.

With files from The Canadian Press