In 1953, Christiane Martel became the first Miss France to win Miss Universe. At Miss Universe 2016, Iris Mittenaere's mission is to bring home the crown again for her country, which has yet to happen since Martel's reign.
Mittenaere has been pursuing her degree in Dental Surgery in the last five years. She hopes to advocate for dental and oral hygiene if crowned as Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach's successor on Jan. 30, Monday, at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines.
The musical performers during the coronation night are Flo Rida and Boys II Men. The judging panel includes 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.
Steve Harvey is returning 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 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:
