Miss France Iris Mittenaere poses after being declared winner in the 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Iris Mittenaere, a 24-year-old dental surgery student from Paris, was crowned Miss Universe 2017 at the star studded ceremony in the Philippines on Sunday. Decked out in a gold-sequined gown, Mittenaere beat 12 other finalists to take the crown.
After winning the 65th edition of the annual competition, Mittenaere said "I was very surprised I won, I feel blessed". Miss Haiti (Raquel Pelissier) and Miss Colombia (Andrea Tovar) were the first and second runner-ups of the competition. The other top finalists represented Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Colombia, Philippines, Canada, Brazil, France, Haiti, Thailand and the U.S.
In an interview with CNN, Mittenaere said: "This sash is not only a sash. This is something to help people, to understand people." She will be campaigning for dental and oral care around the world as Miss Universe.
In 2016, Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines won the title of Miss Universe. This year a total of 86 beauty queens across the globe had competed in the pageant to win the prestigious crown of Miss Universe.
Miss France Iris Mittenaere reacts as the Miss Universe sash is put on her at the 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.
Miss France Iris Mittenaere reacts before outgoing Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach places the Miss Universe crown on her during the 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Pia Wurtzbach places the Miss Universe crown on Miss France Iris Mittenaere after the latter was declared winner in the Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Candidates congratulate Miss France Iris Mittenaere after she was declared winner in the Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Miss France Iris Mittenaere reacts after being declared winner in the Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Miss France Iris Mittenaere (C) and other finalists Miss Haiti Jacque Pellisier (R) and Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar pose shortly before Mittenaere wins the 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
A member of Boyz II Men band serenades Miss France Iris Mittenaere, shortly before Mittenaere won the 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Miss France Iris Mittenaere speaks next to emcee Steve Harvey during the question and answer portion before winning the 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Miss France Iris Mittenaere waves after being declared winner in the Miss Universe beauty pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Newly-crowned Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere from France blows a kiss during a news conference inside a Mall of Asia arena in metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017.Reuters
Newly-crowned Miss Universe 2017 Iris Mittenaere from France gestures during a news conference inside a Mall of Asia arena in metro Manila, Philippines January 30, 2017Reuters
