Hours after she was crowned Miss Universe 2016, Iris Mittenaere of France thanked former Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach who she describes as “an amazing woman.”
“This moment … thank you @piawurtzbach You are an amazing woman … thank you for everything,” said Mittenaere on Instagram.
Wurtzbach said that she is excited for the reign of the French beauty queen as Miss Universe.
“From the Philippines to France! Congratulations @missuniverse @irismittenaeremf You are the Queen! I’m so excited for your reign as Miss Universe!” said the German-Filipino beauty queen.
For her first IG post as Miss Universe, Mittenaere said: “Waaaaou ! I’m dreaming… thank you @conradmanila thank you Manila thank you France. I love you all !!! Thank you thank you thank you !!”
She also uploaded a photo of the crown and sash taken in her hotel room.
Mittenaere is expected to leave soon for New York where she will stay for the duration of her reign.
First runner-up Raquel Pellisier of Haiti has expressed support to the new Miss Universe.
Second runner-up Andrea Tovar of Colombia thanked her fans in the pageant.
Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico gave an insight on the decision of the judges during the finals last Monday.
“In the end, personality had a whole lot to do with it,” Torres told ABS-CBN News.
Asked why a popular candidate like Miss Venezuela Mariam Habach did not enter the Top 13, Torres said: “See people need to understand that what you may see on television may be something beautiful. ‘How come this one didn’t make it?’ But we know them in a more personal way.'”
Habach thanked the Filipinos for their support during her stint at the 65th Miss Universe pageant.
Miss Philippine Maxine Medina called on the Filipinos to move on from the beauty pageant.
“Let’s move on. It’s already done,” said a smiling Medina, who was one of the Top 6 finalists in the prestigious beauty contest.