</s>Miss France Iris Mittenaere, center, reacts upon becoming the Miss Universe 2016 as Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier, left, congratulates her Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. Pelissier was the runner-up. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) ORG XMIT: XBM145

Miss France Iris Mittenaere, right, and Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier hold hands prior to the announcement of the winner at the Miss Universe 2016 competition Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. Mittenaere was crowned the new Miss Universe 2016 while Raquel Pelissier was the runner-up. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) ORG XMIT: XBM146

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, left, of the Philippines rushes to crown Miss France Iris Mittenaere as the Miss Universe 2016 in coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) ORG XMIT: XBM141

Miss France Iris Mittenaere is crowned the Miss Universe 2016 by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines in coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) ORG XMIT: XBM147

Miss Universe candidate Iris Mittenaere of France poses in her swimsuit on stage during the finals of the Miss Universe pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on January 30, 2017. Miss France was crowned Miss Universe on January 30 in a glitzy spectacle free of last year's dramatic mix-up but with a dash of political controversy as finalists touched on migration and other hot-button global issues. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBETED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images

Miss Universe candidate Andrea Tovar of Colombia in her swimsuit walks on stage during the finals of the Miss Universe pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on January 30, 2017. Miss France was crowned Miss Universe on January 30 in a glitzy spectacle free of last year's dramatic mix-up but with a dash of political controversy as finalists touched on migration and other hot-button global issues. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBETED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images

Miss Universe candidate Siera Berchell of Canada walks on stage during the finals of the Miss Universe at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on January 30, 2017. Miss France was crowned Miss Universe on January 30 in a glitzy spectacle free of last year's dramatic mix-up but with a dash of political controversy as finalists touched on migration and other hot-button global issues. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBETED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images

Miss Universe candidate Iris Mittenaere of France (C) walks on stage in her swimsuit during the finals of the Miss Universe pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on January 30, 2017. Miss France was crowned Miss Universe on January 30 in a glitzy spectacle free of last year's dramatic mix-up but with a dash of political controversy as finalists touched on migration and other hot-button global issues. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBETED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images

Miss Universe candidate Iris Mittenaere of France (C) parades on stage in her swimsuit with other contestants during the finals of the Miss Universe pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on January 30, 2017. Miss France was crowned Miss Universe on January 30 in a glitzy spectacle free of last year's dramatic mix-up but with a dash of political controversy as finalists touched on migration and other hot-button global issues. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBETED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images

Miss Universe candidate Iris Mittenaere of France (R) holds hands with Raquel Pelissier of Haiti (L) prior to the announcement of the winner during the finals of the Miss Universe pageant at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila on January 30, 2017. Miss France was crowned Miss Universe on January 30 in a glitzy spectacle free of last year's dramatic mix-up but with a dash of political controversy as finalists touched on migration and other hot-button global issues. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBETED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images

MANILA, Philippines — A 23-year-old dental student from France won the Miss Universe crown Monday in the annual pageant in the Philippines, burying her face in her hands in shock and joy.

Iris Mittenaere from the city of Lille in northern France was visibly overwhelmed as the outgoing winner from the Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, crowned her and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause at the packed Mall of Asia Arena by Manila Bay.

Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed her hometown, was named first runner up while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old, Andrea Tovar, was second runner up.

“I think France and Europe really need a Miss Universe,” Mittenaere said in a post-pageant news conference when asked how her countrymen would receive her victory, the second for a French woman in more than 60 years.

The annual beauty contest has not been as popular among the French compared to other countries, she said, adding that was likely to change as the “French people will love it now and every year they will be watching Miss Universe.”

“I’m very proud to bring this crown in Europe,” she said, at one point touching her diamond- and blue sappahire-encrusted crown.

Pellissier said her surviving Haiti’s quake that officials in her country estimated to have killed more than 300,000 people and displaced more than 1.5 million others and her pageant success underscores her rise from adversity because she “chose to be a very positive person and learned a great lesson from it.”

“If I am here today, it is because I am living my dreams,” said Pelissier, who is taking a Master’s degree in Optometry research.

As he closed the ceremony, American comedian host Steve Harvey declared: “I got it right,” referring in jest to his mistaken announcement of Miss Colombia as the winner in the last pageant in Las Vegas more than a year ago. He was roundly criticized for the embarrassing error.

Eighty-six candidates vied in the pageant, which was formerly owned by Donald Trump.

“One thing I learned in life, when you make a mistake, you gotta keep on moving forward man, that’s all,” Harvey said, adding he had surgery done on his eyes so that “when we get to the end and the card comes up, we’ll get it right this year.”

A smiling Wurtzbach, who was called to the stage to give her farewell remarks as the outgoing winner, thanked him for making her the most popular Miss Universe. Harvey, laughing, thanked her for making him the most famous Miss Universe emcee ever.

Judges initially selected a dozen candidates with a 13th picked through online voting joined in by 100 million people worldwide, reflecting the pageant’s wide reach.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was invited but did not show up after holding a midnight news conference where he expressed outrage over the involvement of anti-drug police in the kidnapping of a South Korean businessman, who was reportedly strangled to death at the main police camp in metropolitan Manila last October then cremated, his ashes allegedly flushed down a toilet bowl.</s>Iris Mittenaere of France is crowned the new Miss Universe 2016 by 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach in coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, right, of France is hugged by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach following coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Iris Mittenaere of France, right, and Raquel Pelissier of Haiti hold hands moments before the winner was announced in the Miss Universe 2016 coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. Mittenaere was crowned the Miss Universe 2016. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Iris Mittenaere of France reacts shortly after being proclaimed the new Miss Universe 2016 in coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Iris Mittenaere of France waves to the crowd shortly after being proclaimed the new Miss Universe 2016 in coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Iris Mittenaere of France blows kisses to the crowd after being proclaimed the new Miss Universe 2016 in coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A 23-year-old dental student from France won the Miss Universe crown Monday in the annual pageant held this year in the Philippines.

Iris Mittenaere from the small town of Lille in northern France said in reply to a final question from pageant host Steve Harvey that she would be honored if she just landed among the three finalists, but was visibly stunned when she was announced the winner among the field of 86 contestants.

Mittenaere was speechless and put her hands on her face as the outgoing winner from the Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, crowned her as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause at the packed Mall of Asia Arena by Manila Bay. In her profile, she said she would "advocate for dental and oral hygiene" if she takes home the crown.

In the final question to the top three finalists, the candidate were asked to cite a failure in their life and explain what they learned from the debacle.

"I've failed several times in my life," Mittenaere said without elaborating but added that "when you fail, you have to be elevated and you have to try again and keep going ... I have failed before but for me this is the great first opportunity."

Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed her hometown, was named first runner up while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old, Andrea Tovar, was second runner up.

"I survived the earthquake," Pelissier said in reply to the same question, citing the quake the Haiti government estimated to have killed more than 300,000 people and displaced more than 1.5 million others. "I felt I was failing myself because I was not living my dreams ... But I chose to be a very positive person, and learned a great lesson from it because if I am here today, it is because I am living my dreams."

As he closed the ceremony, the American comedian host declared: "This is Steve Harvey, I got it right," referring in jest to his mistaken announcement of Miss Colombia as the winner in the last pageant in Las Vegas more than a year ago that sparked an uproar.</s>Iris Mittenaere has been named the Miss Universe 2017 winner, and pictures and video of the pageant winner are now going viral as people take to the internet to learn about the beauty from France.

Mittenaere won the crown in Sunday’s competition, beating out runner up

As her official biography noted, Iris Mitenaere is pursuing a degree in dental surgery when she’s not competing in pageants.

Mittenaere represented Nord-Pas-de-Calais at the Miss France 2016 competition before representing her country at Monday’s Miss Universe competition. And Mittenaere’s win was a historic one, as she became the first European winner since 1990, when Norway’s Mona Grud took home the crown.

Photos of Mittenaere went viral almost immediately after host Steve Harvey announced her as the Miss Universe 2017 winner, with her name becoming a trending topic on Twitter almost immediately.

Even before the 2017 Miss Universe winner could be crowned, there were some surprises about the group of finalists. This year’s competition had 13 finalists instead of the normal 12, but even in the expanded number there was no room for Miss Venezuela Miriam Habach.

Venezuela is known as one of the powerhouse nations to compete in the Miss Universe, and contestants from the Latin American nation often reach the very end of the pageant. And contestants from Sierra Leona and Curacao were also missing despite a lot of audience support, GMA noted.

And the report noted that one of the favorites going into the Miss Universe pageant needed a bit of help to reach the final.

The competition also had a few moments in the spotlight for one of the most famous Miss Universe winners who had one of the show’s most infamous moments. Reigning champion Pia Wurtzbach from the Philippines wasn’t the final name called, but that was because host Steve Harvey read the wrong name.

Harvey ended up having to halt the show, calling back Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez and taking her crown away.

Pia’s moments were more graceful on Sunday night.

“Hello, Manila!” she called out to the hometown crowd, adding a joke, “I know what you’re thinking…”

And Steve Harvey had some big praise for Pia Wurtzbach.

“Pia embodies everything that the crown stands for,” he said (via GMA). “It has been quite a run,” he later said as Pia took her final walk across the stage, with fans in the audience chanting her name.

Pia got in one final joke, bringing Steve Harvey an oversized pair of glasses to read the winner.

But Sunday’s competition was all about Iris Mittenaere, with photos of the new Miss Universe 2017 spreading across the internet and congratulations rolling in.

More photos and video of Miss Universe 2017 winner Iris Mittenaere can be seen on her Miss Universe page.</s>Manila, Jan 30 (IANS) Miss France took her first walk as Miss Universe 2016 as she was announced the winner by host Steve Harvey at Mall of Asia Arena in Philippines. India’s Roshmitha Harimurthy couldn’t even make it to the top 15.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach crowned the 23-year-old Iris Mittenaere who was born in northern French town of Lille.

Mittenaere has kept herself busy the last five years by pursuing her degree in Dental Surgery. Mittenaere has also been always fond of extreme sports, travelling the world and cooking new French dishes.

Miss Haiti was announced the first runner-up while Miss Columbia was named the second runner-up.

The last time an Indian won the Miss Universe crown was Lara Dutta in 2000. Other Indians who won the title in the past includes Sushmita Sen in the year 1994, who was also the part of judging panel in the current edition.</s>To the question, who won Miss Universe 2017? The answer is Miss France Iris Mittenaere. The competition, which was hosted by gaffer of the year Steve Harvey, took place in the Philippines. Miss Iris Mittenaere beat 85 other ladies from all around the world to take the prestigious crown back to France. Among those she bested were Miss Haiti, who is on her way to becoming an ophthalmologist and Miss Universe Colombia 2016, Andrea Tovar, who was one the most well-spoken candidates at the pageant.

Mittenaere won the crowd with her costume, which was inspired by Moulin Rouge, a cabaret in Paris, France. She delivered an inspirational response on how to face adversity and rise back up.

Asked what her biggest failure in life was? Mittenaere replied by: “I’ve failed several times in my life. When you fail, you have to be elevated, and you have to try again and keep going … I have failed before, but for me, this is the great first opportunity.”

Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, who ended up as the first runner-up of the pageant spoke about the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed her island. Pelissier explained: “I survived the earthquake. I felt I was failing myself because I was not living my dreams … But I chose to be a very positive person, and learned a great lesson from it because if I am here today, it is because I am living my dreams.”

The 2017 Miss Universe winner loves horseback riding, theater, and gymnastics. She was born in Lille, located in the North of France. Her father, Yves Mittenaere, is a history professor and her mother, Laurence Druart, is an elementary school teacher.

Iris Mittenaere’s parents divorced at a young age, and she has lived in Lille, most of her life with her mother. She excelled in high school and graduated with honor and went on to study dentistry at the Lille 2 University of Health and Law.

Iris Mittenaere plans on becoming a dental surgeon after graduating. She won Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais in 2015.</s>The 2017 Miss Universe winner has been announced, and it is none other than Miss France Iris Mittenaere. The event took place in the Philippines and was broadcast on Fox. Eighty-six constants competed in various categories for the title, which was held by Pia Wurtzbach from the Philippines. The 65th Miss Universe competition was hosted by Steve Harvey who made a huge gaffe at the event last year by calling Miss Colombia as the winner whereas Miss Philippines was the one who took the title.

Miss France Iris Mittenaere, who loves to cook and is working to become a dentist, was able to beat the following ladies for the title of Miss Universe 2017: Miss Philippines Maxine Medina, who had a real advantage because she was at home. Miss Mexico Kristal Silva, who spoke about her culture, her love of music, and her family.

Raquel Pelissier – Miss Universe Haiti 2016 – is studying to become an ophthalmologist after her grandmother went blind. She loves the beach and traveling – she is fluent in English, French, Spanish, Creole and is learning German. She is very involved in charity works and wants to promote Haiti, which was hit by an earthquake and several hurricanes in the past years.

Miss Kenya Mary Esther Were sounded like Michelle Obama as she spoke about how women are strong and can become anything they choose. Miss Brazil Raissa Santana, who is the first black woman to represent her country in 30 years.

Miss USA Deshauna Barber – she has an amazing back story, she is in the United States Army Reserves and recently lost her mother. She is fierce yet elegant and proud to serve her country. Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar, who made Harvey uneasy every time she took the stage.

Ashley Graham also served as co-host and judges for the soirée included Cynthia Bailey, Leila Lopes, Dayanara Torres, Mickey Boardman, Francine LeFrak, and Sushmita Sen.

Flo Rida and Boyz II Men performed at the event.</s>has been crowned. The 24 year-old stunner wowed the judges and the live audience at the pageant held at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines.She edged out Haiti's Raquel Pelissier , who settled for first runner-up. Second runner-up went to Miss Colombia, Andrea Tovar . Rounding up the top 6 are Miss Kenya, Miss Philippines, and Miss Thailand.(Image Credit: Miss Universe IG)It's the second time that France won the coveted Miss Universe title. The last time that France won was 63 years ago, when Christiane Martel won Miss Universe in 1953.Miss France at the Preliminary Competition (Image Credit: Miss Universe)A total of 86 contestants from all over the world competed for the crown.Special Awards were also given during the pageant. Best National Costume went to Myanmar's Htet Htet Htun .Prior to the main contest, two special awards were also given to Mariam Habach Santucci of Venezuela. She won as Miss Flawless of the Universe and as Miss Phoenix Elegant. Maxine Medina of the Philippines was awarded Miss Phoenix Jewel while Miss Indonesia, Kezia Warouw, was recognized as Miss Phoenix Smile.The panel of judges for the 65th Miss Universe included former pageant winners Dayanara Torres (Miss Universe 1993), Sushmita Sen (Miss Universe 1994), and Leila Lopes (Miss Universe 2011). Also among the judges are American TV star and actress ,Cynthia Bailey; tv and film producer and social entrepreneur, Francine LeFrak; and lifestyle expert and fashion guru, Mickey Boardman.The prestigious beauty contest, which was held for the third time in the Philippines, was hosted by Steve Harvey and Ashley Graham. Singer-rapper Flo Rida and R&B group Boyz II Men performed during the show.</s>A 23-year-old dental student from France won the Miss Universe crown Monday in the annual pageant held in the Philippines, saying her triumph will make the beauty contest more popular in Europe and help her efforts to put more underprivileged children in school.

Iris Mittenaere from Lille city in northern France buried her face in her hands in shock and joy as the outgoing winner from the Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, crowned her and the crowd erupted in cheers at the packed Mall of Asia Arena by Manila Bay.

Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed her hometown, was named first runner-up, while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old industrial designer and photographer Andrea Tovar, was second runner-up.

“I think France and Europe really need a Miss Universe,” Mittenaere said in a post-pageant news conference when asked how her countrymen would receive her victory, the first by a French woman in more than 60 years.

The beauty contest has not been as popular in France as in other countries, she said, but “French people will love it now and every year they will be watching Miss Universe.”

“I’m very proud to bring this crown to Europe,” she said.

Mittenaere said she would focus during her reign on helping all children, especially girls, attend school.

Pellissier said surviving Haiti’s quake, which officials in her country estimated killed more than 300,000 people and displaced more than 1.5 million others, and her pageant success underscored her rise from adversity because she “chose to be a very positive person and learned a great lesson from it.”

“If I am here today, it is because I am living my dreams,” said Pelissier, who is studying for a master’s degree in optometry research.

Eighty-six candidates vied in this year’s pageant, which was formerly owned by Donald Trump.

As he closed the ceremony, American comedian host Steve Harvey declared, “I got it right,” referring in jest to his mistaken announcement of Miss Colombia as the winner in last year’s pageant in Las Vegas. He was roundly criticized for the embarrassing error.

“One thing I learned in life, when you make a mistake, you gotta keep on moving forward man, that’s all,” Harvey said.

In her farewell remarks as the outgoing winner, a smiling Wurtzbach thanked Harvey for making her “the most popular Miss Universe.” Harvey, laughing, thanked her for making him the most famous Miss Universe host.</s>Of the three Miss Universe finalists — Miss France Iris Mittenaere, Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier and Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar — only one could take home the crown.

The honors went to Miss France, with Pelissier named the competition's first runner-up and Tovar the second-runner-up.

Mittenaere, 24, is a Parisian native, currently pursuing a degree in dental surgery. She plans to use her Miss Universe platform to advocate for dental and oral hygiene.

During the competition's Q&A session, Mittenaere praised France's open borders and refugee population. "In France, we want to have the most globalization that we can, we want to have the biggest exchange of people that we can," she told the judges.

The competition's other two runners-up also made impressions on the judges. Pelissier, 24, told the audience how surviving the 2010 Haiti earthquake made her a more resilient person.

And earlier in the night, Tovar, 23, provided the night's most humorous moment, joking about host Steve Harvey's slip-up during last year's Miss Universe competition, when he mistakenly declared Colombia the winner instead of Miss Philippines.

"A lot of people hate you," she told Harvey onstage.

The competition's top 13 finalists were Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Colombia, Phillippines, Canada, Brazil, France, Haiti, Thailand and Miss USA Deshauna Barber.
Iris Mittenaere, winner of Miss France 2016, is crowned as the winner of Miss Universe 2016 at a ceremony in the Philippines.