Iris Mittenaere’s message for Deshauna Barber as new Miss USA crowned

Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber was one of the most popular candidates during the Miss Universe 2016 competition, and not just because she became Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach's roommate when Olivia Jordan's own term came to an end.

On Monday (Sunday evening, Las Vegas time), Barber passed on the Miss USA crown to her successor, Kara McCullough of the District of Columbia, but not before posting a farewell message on Instagram in which she thanked her supporters for an "amazing year."

 

A message from @deshaunabarber, your #MissUSA 2016! • Watch her crown her successor in just a few minutes, at 8/7c on @FOXTV.

A post shared by Kára McCullough (@missusa) on

May 14, 2017 at 4:25pm PDT

"I'm sitting in my dressing room...and it's all setting in that my time [as Miss USA] is coming to an end and this year has been so amazing," she said.

"I feel so blessed and so honored, and I'm walking out of this just feeling very thankful for a year as Miss USA," she added.

"This has been wonderful. I am thankful."

On her own Instagram, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere also posted a message—one of support for her departing pageant sister, who was also her roommate in New York City.

 

Because sisters are for life, you will always be in my heart ?? I love you @deshaunabarber !

A post shared by Iris Mittenaere |Miss Universe (@irismittenaeremf) on

May 14, 2017 at 5:58pm PDT

"Because sisters are for life, you will always be in my heart," Mittenaere said. "I love you, Deshauna Barber!"

Barber finished in the top 9 of the international competition, which was held in Manila on January 30 this year. — BM, GMA News