Miss France crowned Miss Universe in Philippines

Miss France crowned Miss Universe in Philippines
Iris Mittenaere of France is crowned the new Miss Universe 2016 by 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach in coronation Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

(Credit: AP)

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A 23-year-old dental student from France won the Miss Universe crown Monday in the annual pageant in the Philippines, burying her face in her hands in shock and joy.

Iris Mittenaere from the city of Lille in northern France was visibly overwhelmed as the outgoing winner from the Philippines, Pia Wurtzbach, crowned her and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause at the packed Mall of Asia Arena by Manila Bay.

Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed her hometown, was named first runner up while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old, Andrea Tovar, was second runner up.

“I think France and Europe really need a Miss Universe,” Mittenaere said in a post-pageant news conference when asked how her countrymen would receive her victory, the second for a French woman in more than 60 years.

The annual beauty contest has not been as popular among the French compared to other countries, she said, adding that was likely to change as the “French people will love it now and every year they will…