Alexie Brooks, gay icon, voice of the LGBTQIA+ community

Miss Eco International Philippines Alexie Brooks/ARMIN P. ADINA

It has been said that celebrities or personalities have “made it” when gay men start copying them. And it appears that newly-crowned Miss Eco International Philippines Alexie Brooks may have already reached that enviable gay icon status this early in her life.

The 23-year-old national athlete and beauty queen said she has already seen videos of gay beauty contestants imitating her, sporting her distinct buzz cut curly locks, and screaming her own name during the introduction, and she is delighted.

“Seeing them, they do the hair as I have, or they say the [phrase] ‘Abansa Babaye’ (Onward Women), or everything that has to do with me, I feel more inspired, and I feel like I need to do more for them,” Brooks said in an intimate media conference at Manifesto at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City on June 6, where she officially received the P300,000 prize money that came with a title awarded to her during the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

“It’s just a simple gesture of them doing what I’m doing. But if you think about it, it’s an impact that you made on these people’s lives. And you make them happy, you keep them entertained, and you give them joy. And them doing those things makes me happy also. So I’m really happy, I’m really grateful,” she continued.

Brooks said attaining such a status also entails responsibilities. “I want them to know that there is someone who can be a voice for them, and can support them. The only thing that I can do right now is be a voice for these people, be the voice for them. And I’m here for it, and I’m willing to help them. Really willing to push more, break more barriers and norms,” she explained.

She also noted that as the world marks Pride Month this June, members of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and others) community should be able to enjoy respect from everyone. “That doesn’t make them less if they decided to choose a different path. The best thing we can do for them is to give them safe spaces, or be an active ally to these people,” Brooks shared.

The beauty queen from Iloilo also appealed for acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community. “If we see other people being themselves, they’re happy, I don’t think you can hate that. Just support,” Brooks said.

Her spirit of kindness comes from her Lola Basing, who she lives with in the town of Leon in Iloilo. Having experienced a lot of bullying growing up, Brooks said her grandmother taught her, “if you are hurt, don’t let anyone else feel that pain.”

Brooks said it is really tough holding back one’s rage after feeling so much pain inflicted by other people. But it really pays being the bigger person in such a situation, and it is also the better thing to do, she said.

And despite all the hardships she has endured in her life, Brooks was still able to accomplish a lot of things. In just the first half of the year, she received a national beauty title, earned her undergraduate degree from the National University, and moved into her new loft apartment.

For Brooks, nutrition has helped her achieve everything she is enjoying now. “It is very important. It reflects so much of you as a person. Like the food you eat will result in the level of performance you give. So it’s just like the vitamins, or the things that you take in, will later on have a result. So you always make sure you’re careful of what you’re eating, what you’re taking into your body,” she explained.

Brooks will represent the Philippines in the 2025 Miss Eco International pageant, and try to become the third Filipino woman, and also the third delegate from the Visayas, to bring home the title, following Cynthia Thomalla from Cebu and Kathleen Paton from Aklan.

But before she embarks on her international pageant journey, Brooks will first have her homecoming in Iloilo City on June 11. She is also scheduled to have a motorcade and welcome program in her hometown of Leon on June 12.