The finals of Miss Universe 2016, the 65th edition of the beauty pageant concluded with the crowning of Iris Mittenaere of France as the winner on 30th January 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. With Mittenaere’s win, France broke the longest drought, 63 years, in the history of Miss Universe. The enthusiastic and beautiful winner looked eye catching as she clinched to the crown when her name was announced as the new titleholder.
Iris Mittenaere took over as the reigning queen of Miss Universe after contending her way through a number of competitions, and finally emerged as the most confident and beautiful woman with a gorgeous heart. She left behind 85 other contestants to get crowned as Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s successor. The Miss Universe 2016 coronation event was a 3 hours long affair, and if you guys missed it, here’s a complete review for you...
To begin with, Miss Universe is one of the most renowned Big 4 pageants in the world. The pageant has a charm of its own and the Miss Universe Organisation takes it sincerely to make the annual event one of the most beautifully executed and celebrated events of the year. The organisation makes it a purpose to find that one extraordinary girl who is confidently beautiful. Every year delegates from all over the world come to one global platform with their individualities and cultures to compete for the title of Miss Universe.
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The finale of the beauty pageant started with the introduction of the contestants complimented by an amazing performance by popular hip hop artist Flo Rida. Backstage host Ashley Graham and on-stage host Steve Harvey made sure that the event stands as one of the most interesting ones of this month. Harvey complimented the stage with his wit and humour to entertain the spectators. After a flashback of a wonderful reign, where Pia Wurtzbach dazzled as the Miss Universe 2015, the event moved forward.
The judge’s panel was full of esteemed personalities which included Cynthia Bailey, former model and founder of famous fashion and modelling school, The Bailey Agency School of Fashion; Mickey Boardman, the Editorial Director of the popular pop-culture and fashion magazine, PAPER; along with Francine LeFrak as well as Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen, Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori, and Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes.
Miss Universe finale events have always stirred enthusiasm and excitement in our cores. This year’s new and clean format of 13-9-6-3, made the coronation gala a no-chaos event. Soon after, the contestants who made it to the Top 13 were announced and each walked forward with grace as their fans cheered for them. Though many countries went unplaced, the excitement did not deter.
After the announcement of the Top 13 contestants, these amazing delegates charmed their fans with amazing catwalk as they took over the stage in Yamamay Swimsuits, which the girls had selected on their own. Some of the contestants managed to get attention in their absolutely eye-catching looks. As the moment to narrow down the Top 13 to Top 9 came, it kicked off the excitement on stage as well as off-stage. One by one the hosts announced the graceful candidates who made it to the Miss Universe 2016 Top 9 finalists.
Next, Htet Htet of Myanmar was declared as the Best in National Costume winner for her marionette costume with 40kgs shoulder frame that portrayed Myanmar's beautiful landmarks. As heart beats of hundreds of fans augmented with excitement, their beauty idols walked in, donning gorgeous evening gowns. Finally, the host announced the Top 6 delegates, the beauties who have gone a step further towards the Miss Universe victory.
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It was now time for one of the most exciting rounds of the pageant finale, the Question and Answer round, where the finalists will have to prove their worth and show the world their capabilities. The judges worked through the strengths and weaknesses of each of the Top 6 finalists through their amazing answers. The round helped the judges in narrowing down the Top 6 into Top 3 finalists. These were Misses Haiti, France, and Colombia, who again went through another question answer round, only this time it was a common question, and the competition was even tougher and even more exciting.
The three beauties were posed the question- “Name something over the course of your life that you failed at, and tell us what you learned from that experience?” which they answered beautifully to impress the judges. It was the right time for a musical performance as the Top 3 walked in adorning their victory gowns. Boyz II Men thrilled the spectators with a beautiful performance.
Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach graced the stage in her final walk and as hearts sank with the thoughts of missing her, the enthusiasm to welcome the new Miss Universe reigning queen doubled. The coronation gala reached its finale with the announcement of Raquel Pelissier of Haiti as the first runner-up, Andrea Tovar of Colombia as the second runner-up. Steve Harvey announced the ‘correct winner’ this time by calling out to Iris Mittenaere of France.
Also Read : Miss Universe 2016 – A look at the Question and Answer segment
The stage was filled with cheers of happiness and tears of victory as Pia passed on her crown to the new beauty queen with utmost excitement and love. A wonderful show came to an end, only to begin with a new reign for the beautiful 23 years old Iris from Paris. So, what is your take on the amazing coronation gala and the most gorgeous winner this year?