Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach crowned Miss France Iris Mittenaere as her successor on Jan. 30, Monday, at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. Here are 10 facts about the new queen:
1. Born on Jan. 25, 1994, Mittenaere is 23 years old when crowned Miss Universe 2016.
2. She is 5'8" tall.
3. She was born in a town called Lille in France.
4. She is not someone who says no to extreme sports.
5. She is interested in cooking new French dishes.
6. She loves to travel.
7. She enjoys volunteering at Bienvenue-Tongasoa and Les Bonnes Fées.
8. Before winning Miss Universe 2016, she has been pursuing her degree in Dental Surgery.
9. Her advocacy as Miss Universe 2016 is dental and oral hygiene.
10. She is the second Miss France to win Miss Universe with Christian Martel, who won in 1953, as the first.
During the Miss Universe 2016 coronation night, the judging panel included Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres from Puerto Rico, Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen from India, Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes from Angola, TV and film producer Francine LeFrak, Paper Magazine editorial director Mickey Boardman and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Cynthia Bailey. The musical performers were Flo Rida and Boys II Men.
Steve Harvey returned as the host of the coronation night with "America's Next Top Model" judge Ashley Graham as the backstage host. The former arrived in Manila on Jan. 28, Saturday, ABS-CBN News reported.
United States president Donald Trump had sent a message to Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte through officials of the Miss Universe Organization, Rappler has learned. Duterte acknowledged the message and thanked Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart, who she mistakenly identified as Miss USA 2016, a title that belongs to Deshauna Barber.
On Jan. 18, Wurtzbach participated in a dinner program in Baguio City, Philippines, which was hosted by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup. Distinguished people of the city welcomed them along with Shugart, Miss Universe 2016 host committee chairman Chavit Singson, and some Miss Universe 2016 candidates including Mittenaere.
Have a glimpse of the Miss Universe 2016 event in Baguio here: