LOOK: Celeste Cortesi stuns in black-and-white gown at Miss Universe Philippines prelims
Celeste Cortesi. Image: Instagram/@celeste_cortesi
Only a few days remain before Celeste Cortesi will pass her crown to her successor at the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 pageant, and she made sure to make the most of her time as the reigning queen — which includes leaving pageant fans breathless in her preliminary look.
Cortesi was a sight to behold in a sultry black-and-white Anthony Ramirez gown with a deep “V” in front, as shown during the pageant’s swimsuit and evening gown preliminaries on Wednesday, May 10.
LOOK: Reigning Miss Universe Philippines 2022 titleholder Celeste Cortesi expressed her support for the candidates as she reminded them to “stick to their principles and values” during their time in the competition. | 📸: Empire PH/YouTube via @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/0MKOO2yl8P
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 10, 2023
A closer look at the titleholder’s gown was uploaded on her Instagram account on Wednesday, May 10, which is a nod to her alluring aura. The strapless piece showed off her chest tattoo while hugging her curves, before ending with a silk white skirt that floated on the ground.
Her look was finished off with a high ponytail and gold accessories, where she was dolled up by makeup artist Roge Bernaldez, hair stylist Arvee Yadao, and stylist Randell Giel.
View this post on Instagram
Cortesi showed another video of herself prancing at a hotel, where she gave a shout-out to her styling team.
“A classic b&w moment in my favorite @anthonyramirez_official gown,” she said in the caption.
View this post on Instagram
Cortesi’s look earned rave reviews from fellow beauty queens Pia Wurtzbach, MJ Lastimosa, and Anchilee Scott-Kemmis, as seen in the comments of her post.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@celeste_cortesi
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@celeste_cortesi
The beauty queen had an early exit from the Miss Universe 2022 pageant after she failed to advance to the Top 16. Despite this, she said during an interview with Boy Abunda that she’s proud of herself because she knows she gave her all.
“You know, I really thought that I got this—all I have to do is to work very hard and I will get it. But you know, at the end of the day, we also need to understand that the judges were looking for something else and it is fine. At the end of the day, masaya ako sa mga winners,” she said. EDV
