2017 Miss Universe Is France Amid Tough Competition; Host Steve Harvey "Sure" About Winner This Time

23 year-old Dentistry student Iris Mittenaere of France is declared this year’s Miss Universe.

Mittenaere was crowned winner of the beauty pageant, which was held at a packed Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Manila, Philippines, on Monday morning. Fox News reports that a shocked Mittenaere buried her face in her hands as outgoing Miss Universe, Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, crowned the former.

After her moment of glory, Mittenaere welcomed the win. NBC said the victory was the first by a French contestant in over 60 years.

She said at a post-pageant press conference, "I think France and Europe really need a Miss Universe. French people will love it [Miss Universe] now and every year they will be watching Miss Universe. I'm very proud to bring this crown to Europe."

Mittenaere said her first order of business as the new Miss Universe would be helping all children, especially girls, attend school.

The pageant was also a moment of redemption for host Steve Harvey, who made the biggest mistake in pageant history by declaring Miss Colombia, instead of Wurtzbach, who was Miss Philippines then, the winner in last year’s pageant in Las Vegas. The Washington Post noted that Harvey appeared to be referring to his monumental blunder every now and then in the televised event. At one point, he even asked current Miss Colombia, Andrea Tovar, if her home country is still angry at him about last year’s gaffe. Tovar jokingly roast him, and then graciously said that she loves him anyway.

Chicago Tribune cited another fun jab when following her farewell remarks, Wurtzbach thanked Harvey for putting her name on the map as the “most popular Miss Universe.” Harvey thanked her as well for making him the most famous Miss Universe host.

Towards the end of the program, Harvey ended the show with co-host Ashley Graham with, “... And I am Steve Harvey, and I got it right!