In the night from Sunday to Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines (coinciding with the prime-time early evening in the United States due to time difference), at the 65th Edition of the prestigious international competition of Miss Universe, the jury crowned the French Mittenaere Iris (23 years) Miss Universe. The Queen was followed very closely by our Haitian beauty Raquel Pelissier elected 1st runner-up and Andrea Tovar, Miss Colombia (2nd runner-up).

12 finalists in competition: Mary Esther Were (Kenya), Kezia Warouw (Indonesia), Deshauna Barber (USA), Kristal Silva (Mexico), Valeria Piazza (Peru), Keity Drennan (Panama), Andrea Tovar Maxine Medina (Philippines), Siera Bearchell (Canada), Raissa Santana (Brazil), Iris Mittenaere (France), Raquel Pelissier (Haiti), parading in swimsuit and evening dress.

"I salute the brilliant participation of our compatriot Raquel Pelissier in the Miss Universe contest. Haiti is proud of her performance," declared Jovenel Moïse President-elect of Haiti.

"Congratulations to Raquel Pélissier, ranked 2nd in the Miss Universe contest. Haiti thanks you for floating high its bicolor," indicated the Ministry of Tourism of Haiti.

Learn more about Raquel Pelissier :

Raquel Pelissier (24 years old) is a professional model. She holds a degree in Optometry and a degree in Scientific Research from the "Universitad Complutense de Madrid" (Spain). She is fluent in French, Haitian Creole, English and Spanish. "Representing Haiti gives me the opportunity to expose her colors and culture abroad. I want to change the way the rest of the world sees us and make a good impact," Raquel said during her participation in the contest last winter adding before her participation in the Philippines" My project for Haiti is to teach morals and values to young people," she announced.

HL/ HaitiLibre