France Wins Miss Universe 2016

France’s Iris Mittenaere has been named Miss Universe 2016 at a ceremony held in Manila, Philippines, thus becoming the first woman from her country to win in 63 years, the longest drought in the pageant's history. The 24-year-old dental student claimed to be shocked at winning, but has chosen Dental and Oral Healthcare as a platform, adding “ I want to help people. I want to understand people, I want to meet people, that’s why this is a dream for me”.  Optometry and Vision masters’ student Raquel Pelisser of Haiti was Mitternaere’s runner-up while Andrea Tovar of Columbia placed third. Other award recipients were Korean model Jenny Kim who won the Congeniality Award, Burmese actress who was awarded for Best National Costume, and Lindita Idrizi was named Most Photogenic.  

Africans at the event included former Miss West Africa Hawa Kamara of Sierra Leone, making it the first time the country had entered Miss Universe. Marketing student Raissa Santana became the first Brazilian of African descent to represent her country, and reached the top 13.  Kenya's Mary Ware was the only African in the top 10. Gabon was a no-show due the the country's political turmoil. Ghana was also absent as a result of licensing issues. Nigeria was represented by Psychology graduate Unoaku Anyadike who had won Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 2015 and competed in Miss World that year. She had been chosen to attend Miss Universe in 2017 due to franchise holder Silverbird's inability to host a MBGN pageant in 2016.

Unlike last year's contest, Miss Universe 2017 had 13 instead of 12 finalists - Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Colombia, The Phillippines, Canada, Brazil, France, Haiti, Thailand and United States. Three former Miss Universes (Sushmita Sen -1994, Leila Lopes - 2011, and Dayanara Torres - 1993) sat on the panel of judges, as did Real Housewives of Atlanta's Cynthia Bailey. Although the pageant is named "Miss Universe 2016", the winner will reign through 2017.

Rapper Flo Rida and vocal harmony group Boyz II Men provided entertainment at the contest which saw 86 women vie for the title. Steve Harvey, who had famously called out the wrong winner in 2015, hosted the hitch-free event while model Ashley Graham served as backstage host.