Miss Universe France Iris Mittenaere Crowned Miss Universe

MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In front of a global audience, Iris Mittenaere was crowned the new Miss Universe at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. The three-hour special programming event aired live on FOX in the United States.  

Iris Mittenaere was born north of France in a town called Lille. Mittenaere has kept herself busy the last 5 years by pursuing her degree in Dental Surgery. Besides dental school, Mittenaere has always been fond of extreme sports, travelling the world and cooking new French dishes. She enjoys making others happy, especially when volunteering at Bienvenue-Tongasoa and Les Bonnes Fées.

Emmy® Award winner Steve Harvey returned to host this year's competition with model, designer and body activist Ashley Graham as backstage host. Grammy® Award nominee and multi-platinum hip-hop artist Flo Rida and four-time Grammy® Award-winning R&B group Boyz II Men performed.

The judges who helped crown Miss Universe include:

• Cynthia Bailey: Former model and founder of The Bailey Agency School of Fashion, a modeling and fashion school dedicated to helping young women achieve their dreams; current cast member on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."
• Mickey Boardman: Editorial Director and advice columnist for PAPER magazine.
• Leila Lopes: First Miss Universe from Angola and former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Desertification; currently working with various charitable organizations in Africa.
• Francine LeFrak: Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning producer, social entrepreneur, women's empowerment activist and founder of Same Sky, an initiative that provides training and employment to HIV+ women survivors of the Rwandan genocide.
• Sushmita Sen: Bollywood actress, philanthropist and champion of women's rights in India; founder of I AM Foundation; and first-ever Miss Universe from India.
• Dayanara Torres: Former UNICEF ambassador, writer, singer, model, actress and former Miss Universe from Puerto Rico.

Prior to the competition, the Miss Universe celebrity red carpet streamed live on MissUniverse.com. Throughout the live telecast, the newly designed Miss Universe website and official Miss U App delivered exclusive content and highlights. Additionally, the Miss Universe digital backstage lounge provided a unique second-screen experience for viewers around the world to see what happens behind-the-scenes. 

With a virtual seat at the judging table, an estimated 100 million votes were tabulated from fans around the world to determine which lucky contestant would advance into the Top 13 at the start of the live broadcast, with millions more voting throughout the competition. Eighty-six women represented their countries in this year's MISS UNIVERSE® competition, which culminated in Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach crowning her successor.  

Final Results:   

First Runner-Up:  Miss Universe Haiti Raquel Pelissier

Second Runner-Up:  Miss Universe Colombia Andrea Tovar

Top Three:  Miss Universe Colombia Andrea Tovar; Miss Universe France Iris Mittenaere; Miss Universe Haiti Raquel Pelissier.

Top Six:  Miss Universe France Iris Mittenaere; Miss Universe Kenya Mary Esther Were; Miss Universe Colombia Andrea Tovar; Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina; Miss Universe Thailand Chalita Suansane; Miss Universe Haiti Raquel Pelissier.

Top Nine:  Miss Universe USA Deshauna Barber; Miss Universe Thailand Chalita Suansane; Miss Universe France Iris Mittenaere; Miss Universe Mexico Kristal Silva; Miss Universe Kenya Mary Esther Were; Miss Universe Colombia Andrea Tovar; Miss Universe Canada Siera Bearchell; Miss Universe Haiti Raquel Pelissier; Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina.

Top Thirteen:  Miss Universe Kenya Mary Esther Were; Miss Universe Indonesia Kezia Warouw; Miss Universe USA Deshauna Barber; Miss Universe Mexico Kristal Silva; Miss Universe Peru Valeria Piazza; Miss Universe Panama Keity Drennan; Miss Universe Colombia Andrea Tovar; Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina; Miss Universe Canada Siera Bearchell; Miss Universe Brazil Raissa Santana; Miss Universe France Iris Mittenaere; Miss Universe Haiti Raquel Pelissier; Miss Universe Thailand Chalita Suansane.

The Miss Universe prize package includes: a year-long salary as Miss Universe; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a one-year supply of haircare products and tools from Farouk Systems, the makers of CHI Haircare; a shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry Shoes & Accessories; a personalized face chart and products from MAC Cosmetics; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness @ Le Parker Meridien Hotel and hair services from John Barrett Salon; a modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographers; dermatology and skincare services; a professional health and nutrition consultation; dental services; professional representation by The Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various events including casting opportunities, movie premiers, screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; and personal appearance wardrobe and styling by the official Miss Universe Organization fashion stylist.     

About Miss Universe 
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) uses its global grassroots reach to empower women to be self-confident and strive to be their personal best.  MUO believes that every woman should be "Confidently Beautiful." The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA®, and MISS TEEN USA® pageants provide an international platform through dedicated partnerships with charities, sponsors, and brands around the world. During their reign, the titleholders are given the tools to personally and professionally enrich others by providing humanitarian efforts to affect positive change, all while developing their personal career goals. For more information, and to learn more about Miss Universe's official cause to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS education and prevention around the world, please visit: www.missuniverse.com.

About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world's greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, a leading global entertainment agency.

For more information, visit www.missuniverse.com and MissUniverse on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization

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