Chelsea Manalo goes ocean blue for Miss Universe 2024 evening gown preliminaries
MANILA, Philippines — Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea took inspiration from the country's seas for the evening gown she wore during the Miss Universe 2024 preliminary round.
The evening gown was the final part of the preliminaries after the conclusion of national costume and swimsuit portions.
In contrast to earlier in the event where the delegates strutted onstage, the evening gown portion saw each contestant stand on designated spots with the camera lingering on them for a few seconds.
Chelsea once more wore a creation by designer Manny Halasan, a large flowing blue dress that made her look like Cinderella. The Philippine queen even spun around on stage as she exited to show off her gown's details.
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"Dancing with the waves of the sea, for the Philippines," Chelsea said on social media in a video displaying a closer look at the dress, and in another expressed her gratitude to Halasan. "Living in the moment, living the dream."
Halasan explained the simple gown was to show that Chelsea's dreams could come true, "To be able to walk on the stage as a Queen in Miss Universe and to show that faith, simplicity and authenticity is key to having fun. She is graceful, she is calm, and she is enjoying every minute of it."
The glamorous wash of blue capped off Chelsea's preliminary performance, which included a stunning swimsuit segment where she donned a lilac two-piece swimwear with a golden transparent cape.
Her "Hiraya" national costume was inspired by the arrival of Christianity and Islam to the Philippines, and her devotion to the Black Madonna, the Our Lady of Antipolo.
Chelsea's journey to claim the Philippines' fifth Miss Universe crown continues in the coronation night on November 16 (the 17th in the Philippines).
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