By C. Mendez Legaspi / Photographed by Alysa Salen
IN a heartwarming contrast to the 2015 crowning, when contestants were divided on what to do first—to comfort the “dethroned” Ariadna Gutierrez of Colombia, or to congratulate the real winner, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines—the 65th Miss Universe coronation saw all candidates gather around their winner.
The victory of the magnifique Iris Mittenaere of France proved to be universally loved. No griping from pageant fans, nor even from crazy Asians and rabid Latinos. Iris always figured on every pageant pundits’ Top 12 predictions, almost everyone agreeing that she was Europe’s best delegate. But her triumph at what Miss Universe Organization president said was “the best show we ever had” was still a refreshing surprise.
The much-coveted title is the best birthday gift for Iris (“Ee-ris”), who turned 24 on January 25. A dental surgery student with a passion for cooking boeuf bourguignon, she is France’s second Miss Universe, after Christiane Martel became the first Miss Universe in 1953. (I’m still waiting for a message from the now Mexico-based Christiane to Iris. Or maybe they can meet up in New York, when Iris settles there to pursue her duties.)
“I really want to be a good Miss Universe,” was Iris’s simple vow.
Iris Rising
Perhaps her photos didn’t do justice to her gorgeous face, because pageant watchers didn’t place her prominently in the winner’s circle. But come Preliminary Competition Night, Iris slayed the runway in Yamamay Swimsuit, yellow shimmering couture gown by Vietnamese designer Hoang Hai, and most especially in her scintillating presentation of an authentic Folies Bergère/Moulin Rouge-meets-Mata Hari national costume.
From then on, Iris was a shoo-in for the Top 12. (She was in my initial Top 15, “Tota Pulchra”, January 16, and final Top 12, January 30.) At Top 9 on Finals Night, she wore another Hoang Hai sheer creation in nude tulle with gold and silver sequins.
In a chic French accent, she replied to her question at Top 6 with conviction. Asked about the benefits of open borders amid the global refugee crisis, she said: “In France we want to have the most globalization that we can. We want to have the biggest exchange of people that we can. Maybe someday that will change but now we have open borders. Having open borders allows us to travel more through the world and to find out more about what’s out there in the world.”
At the post-pageant press conference, she elaborated: “Being in the Top 6 was amazing for me, because this was exactly what I wanted to do. When I was in the Top 6, I was just like, ‘Wow!’ I think it was a little difficult question. I want to answer with my heart. You know in France, we have three words: freedom, equality and fraternity [Liberté, Égalité Fraternité]. We have people for the opening of borders and people against. And I don’t want to choose. I’m all these people.”
When the Top 3 (Iris, Miss Haiti Raquel Pélissier and Miss Colombia Andrea Tovar) were called, people at the Mall of Asia Arena felt this was a special group. The judges had just made the most brutal cut of all, dropping heavy favorite Chalita Suansane of Thailand (fashion icon in the making), hometown girl Maxine Medina (considering the intense pressure, a proud placement) and silent killer Mary Esther Were of Kenya (who I think was asked an off-tangent question).
The final, common question was: “Name something over the course of your life you failed at, and tell us what you learned from that experience.”
By all indications, Iris’s interpreter’s translation was inadequate, so I’ll just use the believable version provided by celebrity chef Erwan Heussaff, a native French speaker: “I have failed several times in my life. I thought I had failed my first year in medical school because my name wasn’t on the passing list. So, the very same day I went to buy a new set of medical books to keep on studying. I think when you fail, you need to stand up and keep going. We’re all able to do so. If I don’t win tonight, I will still keep on smiling tomorrow because I’m proud to be part of the three finalists. I’ve learnt a lot from my failures and, happily, I did end up passing my first year of medical school.”
Due to airtime constraints, only the Best in National Costume Award was given, to Miss Myanmar Htet Htet Htun. At the Victory After-Party, Maxine was declared Third Runner-up, Mary the Fourth Runner-up and Chalita the Fifth Runner-up. Miss Albania Lindita Idrizi was named Miss Photogenic, while Miss Korea Jenny Kim was adjudged by her sister-candidates as Miss Friendship.
Winner’s Afterglow
Iris can be the new Marianne, the national symbol of the French Republic, which was once molded at various times from the faces of legends Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve and supermodels Inès de La Fressange and Laetitia Casta. While listening to her mellifluous voice at the presscon, Iris struck me as resembling Alyssa Milano, KC Concepcion and her half-sister Cloie Skarne. It’s a beautiful face, one that stood out among a bevy of captivating candidates.
“I’m always touching the crown, and saying, ‘Oh my God, I have the crown on my head!’ I don’t believe it. It was a big surprise. Every step was a surprise. I wanted to cry at every step. I’m very proud and I feel blessed,” Iris told the international and local media who kept shouting, “Stunning! Gorgeous! Vive la France!”
“Miss Universe was a dream. Every girl wants to be a Miss Universe,” she said, adding that she had two coaches who trained her. It also helps that she’s close to her predecessors Flora Coquerel (Miss France 2014, Top 5 at Miss Universe 2015) and Camille Cerf (Miss France 2015 and Top 15 at Miss Universe 2014). I know, it’s weird how Flora and Camille exchanged years at Miss France and Miss Universe.
Europe’s New Royal
“I think France and Europe need a new Miss Universe because there is a lot of time Europe doesn’t have Miss Universe and I think they need a Miss Universe. You know, French people love beauty pageants. They don’t really know Miss Universe because our country never wins. I think this year a lot of people will know and watch Miss Universe. The French will love and watch on TV Miss Universe. Europe will love Miss Universe, too. I’m very proud to bring this crown [to] Europe,” Iris said, whom I presume as a Parisian will always be dressed in haute couture.
Iris is the 12th winner from Europe, counting Oxana Fedorova of Russia who was dethroned in 2002. Before her was Mona Grudt of Norway in 1990. But Europe isn’t exactly excluded from the winners’ club. Pia, born in Stuttgart, is half-German. Gabriela Isler of Venezuela (2013) has Swiss and German heritage. USA’s Olivia Culpo (2012) is Irish-Italian. Canada’s Natalie Glebova (2005) is an immigrant from Russia. And Justine Pasek of Panama (2002) is Ukrainian-born of Polish descent.
Iris also debunked the trend of winners with the last letter A on their first names since 2008 (Dayana, Stefania, Ximena, Leila, Olivia, Gabriela, Paulina and Pia).
Her New Role
THE 65th Miss Universe emphasized diversity (with five black girls, three Latinas, three Asians and two Caucasians in the Top 13), body activism (the large and in-charge Miss Canada Siera Bearchell advancing to Top 9 after the swimsuit round) and empowerment (the women discussing overcoming obstacles).
Iris will be advocating for the Miss Universe causes, such as breast-cancer awareness and HIV/AIDS testing. But she’d also want to promote her own: dental and oral hygiene.
“When I followed Pia, I saw all the things she did and I want to do that. I want to help people. I want to understand and meet people. I will be [a] dentist in two years. I have one charity for teaching children. But now, I represent the universe and I want to do more than that. I want to bring all children to school. This is one of my [charities]. I think it is important: education for children, especially for young women, because I have the chance to live in France and to go to school every morning. I think every [child] should have this chance,” Iris promised.
Image credits: Alysa Salen