Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016, was crowned Miss Universe at the 65th Miss Universe pageant, which was held at Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines on January 29, 2017. Fox had the U.S. telecast of the show, which was once again hosted by Steve Harvey. Model/activist Ashley Graham served as backstage host. Flo Rida and and Boyz II Men performed at the event.
The first runner-up was Raquel Pelissier from Haiti. The second runner-up was Andrea Tovar from Colombia. The remaining contestants in the top six were Mary Esther Were from Kenya; Maxine Medina from the Philippines ; and Chalita Suansane from Thailand.
The judges who helped crown Miss Universe included:
Cynthia Bailey: Former model and founder of The Bailey Agency School of Fashion, a modeling and fashion school dedicated to helping young women achieve their dreams; current cast member on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Mickey Boardman: Editorial Director and advice columnist for Paper magazine.
Leila Lopes: First Miss Universe from Angola and former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Desertification; currently working with various charitable organizations in Africa.
Francine LeFrak: Emmy and Tony Award-winning producer, social entrepreneur, women’s empowerment activist and founder of Same Sky, an initiative that provides training and employment to HIV+ women survivors of the Rwandan genocide.
Sushmita Sen: Bollywood actress, philanthropist and champion of women’s rights in India; founder of I AM Foundation; and first-ever Miss Universe from India.
Dayanara Torres: Former UNICEF ambassador, writer, singer, model, actress and former Miss Universe from Puerto Rico.
Here are some photo highlights of the pageant on stage and behind the scenes.
Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016, is crowned Miss Universe. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016, is crowned Miss Universe. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016, after being crowned Miss Universe. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016, after being crowned Miss Universe. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Deshauna Barber from the USA. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Deshauna Barber from the USA. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016, after being crowned Miss Universe. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestants Chalita Suansane from Thailand and Deshauna Barber from the USA. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestants Chalita Suansane from Thailand, Deshauna Barber from the USA, Le Hang from Vietnam and Andrea Tovar from Columbia. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Contestants get hair done by stylists from CHI Haircare and makeup by MAC Cosmetics artists backstage during the 65th Miss Universe Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay, Philippines, on January 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy of the Miss Universe Organization)
Sari Nakazawa, Miss Japan 2016, gets her makeup done by a MAC Cosmetics artist, backstage during the 65th Miss Universe Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay, Philippines, on January 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Tansu Sila Cakir, Miss Turkey 2016, gets her hair done by stylist Joseph Saad from CHI Haircare, backstage during the 65th Miss Universe Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay, Philippines, on January 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Andrea Bezdekova, Miss Czech Republic 2016, gets her hair done by stylist Joseph Saad from CHI Haircare, backstage during the 65th Miss Universe Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay, Philippines, on January 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Estefania Bernal, Miss Argentina 2016, gets her hair done by stylist Anna Cantu from CHI Haircare backstage during the 65th Miss Universe Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay, Philippines, on January 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Deshauna Barber from the USA. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Deshauna Barber from the USA. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Le Hang from Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Sari Nakazawa from Japan. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Johanna Acs from Germany. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Charlene Leslie from Aruba. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestants Rebecca Kathleen Rath from Belize, Kristal Silva from Mexico and Carolina Rodriguez Duran from Costa Rica. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestant Estefania Bernal from Argentina. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Miss Universe contestants Catalina Paz Cáceres from Chile and Sirey Moran from Honduras. (Photo courtesy of Fox)
Contestants of the 65th Miss Universe Competition with host Steve Harvey (front row, center). (Photo courtesy of Fox)