Manila - Miss France, Iris Mittenaere, 24, who said she hoped
more countries would open up their borders for refugees, was crowned
on Monday in the Philippines as the winner of the 65th Miss Universe
pageant.
Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, 25, was named first runner up and Miss
Colombia, Andrea Tovar, 23, was the second runner up.
Mittenaere, born in the northern French city of Lille, is pursuing a
degree in dental surgery.
Miss Universe candidate from France Iris Mittenaere competes during a national costume preliminary competition in Pasay, Metro Manila. Photo: Reuters
During the pageant in Manila, Mittenaere said countries had the right
to close or open their borders to refugees but European countries
like France had chosen to welcome refugees.
"Having open borders allows us to travel more to the world and to
find out what's out there in the world," she said, in a reply that
earned her a spot in the final three.
Miss France Iris Mittenaere poses after being crowned the 65th Miss Universe at the Mall of Asia Arena, in Pasay, Metro Manila. Photo: Reuters
In the final round of questions, Mittenaere said she had failed
several times in life but always learned to keep going.
"If tonight, I will not be one of the winners, I will still have the
honour of being one of the three finalists," she said. "When you
fail, you have to be elevated, try again and keep going."