Celeste Cortesi confident new Miss Universe owner won't be biased to Thailand
MANILA, Philippines — The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) recently opened the online poll for the 71st pageant edition.
Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Silvia Celeste Cortesi's headshot stands out from among the 79 delegates who are officially on the 2022 roster. This early, she is one of 10 candidates chosen by fan pages as their favorite frontrunners.
Celeste and her team will be leaving for the United States by mid-December in preparation for the finals in January. Several pasarela training videos of her have surfaced online - and all have showed her in tip-top shape.
In a recorded session with Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Creative Director Jonas Gaffud, Celeste is seen slaying the studio's marked walkways with ease. Her dexterity on the runway is on point. Her much improved pasarela showed great footwork, effortlessly executed fast twirls, as well as polished poses. She's one tough act to follow!
Apart from her pasarela training, she also immersed herself in Q&A (question and answer) sessions with her team, as well as reach out to beneficiaries through her initiatives and advocacies with the MUPH organization.
"It is only by realizing that everything is interconnected that we are reminded of how our actions can make a big impact," said the Filipino-Italian beauty queen while visiting local communities in Lanao del Sur for the Life Changer for Children Program.
Celeste, and her queen sisters, visited in order to give and extend support for children, along with their families and communities, who were most impacted by poverty, inequality, discrimination, and lack of access to basic needs.
"The path to the Universe is not easy but it can be fun, exciting, and hopeful," she added.
In an interview with the media early this week for her launch as a new digital magazine cover girl, Celeste shared her thoughts on Miss Universe's new owner.
"I think Miss Universe is going to be very inclusive and you know, I can't wait to meet her, to be honest. It's going to be nice."
When asked if she thinks that the new Thai owner might be biased toward Thailand, the Philippine candidate said: "I believe that nothing is going to change now with Miss Universe - everything will be fair. And I'm just focusing now in my preparations. I feel like I just want to meet her. I feel like she's very nice, very open, and she's a boss. She's a woman. So I'm very happy about that!"
She is already in touch with candidates from Venezuela, Italy and Spain, and is not threatened by anyone.
"To be honest, I think everyone has a chance. Everyone is beautiful. Everyone has a purpose and very, very intelligent. I don't want to compare myself to others. I just want to focus on my own journey," she said. "I just want to meet everyone. I want to meet the new owner. I want to meet the new candidates and start making memories."
Calling her parasela simply as "Celeste walk," Cortesi enthused that she is more prepared now than we joined Miss Earth because then, she just came to the Philippines, didn't speak English and didn't know her purpose.
"I feel like this (Miss Universe) journey is going to teach me a lot - about my personality, my purpose, that's why I'm focusing on it a lot."
Related: How Miss Earth helped Celeste Cortesi win Miss Universe Philippines 2022
More than nervous, she now feels more excited to represent the Philippines.
Her gift for herself for her December 15 birthday? "Hopefully, the crown!" she declared.
"Not only for myself but also for the country!"
Should the stars align in her favor, Celeste will join the ranks of former titleholders Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).
To vote for Celeste, download the Miss Universe app. Go to the Vote tab, and vote for Miss Philippines.
The 71st Miss Universe edition unfolds on January 14 (January 15, Manila time) from New Orleans, Louisiana. Stay tuned! — With reports from Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
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