Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of the Philippines took her final walk as titleholder on Monday in her home country.
Wurtzbach, wearing an elegant blue gown, also had a message for her successor.
“To the next Miss Universe, fasten your seatbelt. At the end of your reign you will have maturity, confidence, and faith,” Wurtzbach said.
Iris Mittenaere of France was eventually crowned Miss Universe 2016, besting 85 other candidates, including the Philippines’ own Maxine Medina. Miss Haiti Raquel Pelissier and Miss Colombia Andrea Tover finished first and second runners-up, respectively.
READ: Miss France is Miss Universe 2016
Wurtzbach also thanked her family, fans, Miss Universe sisters, and the Filipino people. “I am the woman I am because of the woman that you are,” she said, referring to her mother.
“The title is a dream come true but the work continues,” she added.
Wurtzbach on Monday announced that she had signed a contract with New York-based talent management company International Management Group (IMG), which also handled top models Miranda Kerr, Gigi and Bella Hadid, and Tyson Ballou./rga
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