Miss France, Iris Mittenaere, Crowned Miss Universe

Iris Mittenaere, a 24-year-old dental student from France, was named Miss Universe today in the Philippines.

MISS FRANCE IRIS MITTENAERE CROWNED MISS UNIVERSE

Mittenaere was overcome with emotion when she was chosen as the victor. She said her win would make the contest more popular in Europe and will hopefully help her efforts to get more underprivileged youth to attend school.

25-year-old Raquel Pelissier of Haiti won runner-up, followed by Andrea Tovar, Miss Colombia, in third. Mittenaere is the first Miss Universe winner France has had in more than 60 years. “I think France and Europe really need a Miss Universe,” she said after the fact. “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.”

In a funny moment, host Steve Harvey patted himself on the back saying, “I got it right,” referring to last year’s contest when he erroneously named the wrong contestant the winner. In jest, last year’s winner, Pia Wurtzbach, thanked Harvey for making her “the most popular Miss Universe,” and in turn, Harvey thanked her for making him the “most famous” Miss Universe host.

Mittenaere was also hopeful that her win would bring some positivity to France, after the horrible terrorist attacks in the country in the past years. “We need good news in France and I think this is very good news,” she said.