Local stars shone brightly in 2005 as GTA natives made their mark in the showbiz world, with a Mississauga man chosen to lead INXS’ anticipated comeback, a Toronto resident crowned the most beautiful woman in the universe, and a Scarborough born man's marriage to a music legend.

J.D. Fortune put Mississauga on the map when he was named the new singer of the Australian band INXS. The former Elvis impersonator beat out 14 other contestants on the reality television show Rock Star in the fall.

Another Canuck made it into the top four on the show, Toronto native Suzie McNeil, who enjoyed some time in the spotlight and won rave reviews and a new legion of fans because of her impressive performances.

Fortune was chosen by the band to replace its former lead singer Michael Hutchence, who hanged himself in a hotel room in 1997.

In May, Toronto model Natalie Glebova was crowned Miss Universe 2005. The beauty queen is also a classically trained pianist and a graduate of Ryerson University.

She's also modest.

"I was not the popular girl in school," she said shortly after her win. "I guess I was a little bit shy when I was in high school and only really became outgoing once I went to university."

Since being crowned, she has dedicated her time to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and has served as an ambassador for the Global Health Council and other health organizations.

And just last month filmmaker David Furnish put Scarborough in the spotlight when he married music legend Elton John in a private ceremony in London. The famous pair was among hundreds of other same-sex couples that tied the knot on the first day British legislation regarding the unions went into effect.

Furnish and John have been together for 12 years.

And another massive event thrust the Toronto area into the spotlight. About 35,000 fans packed Park Place in Barrie to take in the Live 8 concert, that put the city north of the city on the world stage with centres like London, Tokyo, Berlin and Rome.