French beauty crowned Miss Universe, first since 1953

France won its first Miss Universe crown in 64 years on Monday in a made-for-television spectacle where finalists spoke out on the refugee crisis and other hot-button global issues.

Iris Mittenaere, a dental surgery student from Lille in the north of France, beat 85 of the world’s most beautiful women at the event in the Philippines scheduled for primetime viewing in the United States.

Ms. Mittenaere (24) edged out Miss Haiti, the first runner-up, and Miss Colombia, the second runner-up, to win France’s first Miss Universe title since 1953.

“I was very surprised. I am always touching the crown and saying ‘Oh my God. I have the crown on my head. I don’t believe it,’” Ms. Mittenaere said in a post-pageant news conference.

“French people love beauty pageants but they don’t really know Miss Universe because never [did] our country win,” she said.

In the final question round, the six remaining contestants were each asked questions relating to various political issues in their own countries or abroad. Asked about the refugee crisis, Ms. Mittenaere said France had the right to close its borders to refugees if it wanted but she also spoke about the benefits of migration. — AFP