The newly-crowned Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere celebrated her victory on Monday (January 30) after winning the Miss Universe pageant in Manila.
The 24-year-old from Paris won the crown in a three-hour show in the Philippine capital that focused on diversity and overcoming life struggles, besting 85 hopefuls from all over the world.
Mittenaere, who is pursuing a degree in dental surgery, won the 65th edition of the annual competition hosted for the third time by the Philippines.
I am very proud to be able to bring this crown back to France, honestly I still have difficulties to understand and realise that I am Miss Universe. But I am really looking forward to going back to France to show you this crown and to thank you all for your unwavering support since the beginning of this adventure and I am really very proud to represent France and the Universe,” she told journalists during the post-coronation news conference.
Raquel Pelissier of Haiti is the first runner-up, while Andrea Tovar of Colombia placed second runner-up.
Thirteen contestants were picked for the swimsuit round of the finals after a preliminary competition last week, before being pruned to nine for the evening gown segment, and then to six.
Rounding out the top six were Maxene Medina of the Philippines, Chalita Suansane of Thailand and Mary Esther Were of Kenya.
(REUTERS)
