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The new Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere revealed the advocacy she would be pursuing now that she is the new queen – she would be fighting for healthy teeth.
Mittenaere, 23, was a head turner in a sequined mint green body-hugging gown topped with the trademark Miss Universe DIC crown during the red carpet of the afterparty at Okada Manila Monday night.
Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the afterparty, Mittenaere said the first thing she did after she won was to kiss her mother.
“The first thing that I did really is kiss my mom. And the second thing I really want to do is to explain my charity,” Mittenaere said.
She said she is looking forward to spending her first time in New York this Wednesday as Miss Universe–and she is sure to take a coat because of the cold weather.
“This is the first time I’m going to New York. I’m really excited. I really want to know New York,” the French beauty said.
“I think it’s really cold, so I take my coat with me,” she added, laughing heartily.
The new queen said she is most excited about going back to France and showing off her new crown.
“I hope I will come back to France. I really want to show this crown to the French people,” said Mittenaere, who snapped a 64-year title drought for France during the 65th Miss Universe competition.
She said she looks forward to starting her charity on dental health, especially because she herself is pursuing a dental surgery degree.
“I’m going to be a dentist. This is a big problem in my country, and in a lot of countries,” Mittenaere said.
“So I really want to help children and adults, ‘cause this is a problem I know very well,” she added.
During the press conference after the coronation, Mittenaere said she hopes her win would make more French and Europeans get to be interested in the international beauty pageant.
READ: Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere: About time France has a queen
Mittenaere snapped a 64-year title drought for France, since Christiane Martel in 1953.
“I think the French really needs a Miss Universe… because the French don’t really know Miss Universe, because never does our country win,” the newly crowned queen said.
“I think this year, a lot of people will know and will watch Miss Universe. And I think the French people will love (it) now, and every year, they will see and watch on television Miss Universe,” she added.
Mittenaere said she is proud to bring home the crown not just for France but for the European continent as well.
“I think Europe will watch Miss Universe too. I’m very proud to bring this crown in Europe… Maybe now, Europe will have a lot of Miss Universe,” she said.
During the question and answer portion, Mittenaere was asked which failure made a mark in her life and how she learned from it.
READ: Aspiring dentist from France is Miss Universe 2016
Mittenaere said she had her failures as she pursues her studies in medicine, but said she learned to keep on trying and keep going.
“I failed several times in my life… When you fail you have to be elevated and you have keep going,” Mittenaere said in French but translated by an interpreter.
She said if she would not win the crown, she would still be honored for the opportunity.
“If tonight I will not be the winner I am still honored that I’m still one of the three finalists. For me this is a great opportunity,” Mittenaere said.
Raquel Pelissier of Haiti was named first runner up, while Colombian Andrea Tovar was named second runner up.
Besides dental school, Mittenaere is also fond of extreme sports, traveling the world and cooking French dishes, according to her profile in the Miss Universe website.
She said her primary advocacies are dental and oral hygiene.
The country’s own Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach pursued an advocacy for HIV awareness during her year-long reign.
