Pia Wurtzbach and makeup artist Justin Soriano. Image: Instagram/@justinlouisesoriano
Controversial makeup artist Justin Louise Soriano stood by Pia Wurtzbach, as he addressed rumors that the Miss Universe 2015 titleholder stole “contacts and connections” to prop herself up in the fashion industry.
Soriano, who is known as the former makeup artist of fashion icon Heart Evangelista before their falling out in mid-2023, defended Wurtzbach in response to one @red_lips_rosy_cheeks_ who accused his new muse of “cheating” through getting someone’s “contacts and connections.”
He claimed the rumors about Wurtzbach stealing somebody’s contacts in the fashion scene were made to “draw hate” against the beauty queen. He further said that Wurtzbach was already “well connected” in the fashion industry as she attended many fashion shows as Miss Universe in New York.
“Pia never ever stole any contacts or whatever. Especially us, her glam team. We are only [her] glam team and we are not acquainted nor close to any PR officers (of fashion houses). Also Pia is Pia! She has walked the runway in New York when she was Miss Universe. She already attended a lot of fashion shows in New York way back [in] 2015,” said Soriano on Instagram last October 12.
“That cheating thing is actually invented so people can draw hate towards Pia. It’s a good thing that when brands hear or read these, all the more that they show love to Pia. The universe is really so powerful. [You] throw hate? The hate goes back to you,” he said, adding that Wurtzbach was already friends with fashion heavyweights Imran Amed and supermodel Natalia Vodianova, whose husband, is Dior executive Antoine Arnault.
“So why steal contacts when she is well connected,” he added.
Image: Screenshot from Instagram/@piawurtzbach
Describing himself as a “Pia warrior,” Soriano said that the rumors of stolen contacts have persistently going around for “more than a year,” and that he’s sad for those who are peddling such allegations against the fashion personality.
“Knowing how it works in [the] PR world. Even if you know the contact person [HQ] will be the one to approve,” he said. “Honestly, I don’t mind the bashing because that’s part of life. Hopefully though karma won’t come back to haunt their family.”
Image: Screenshot from Instagram/@piawurtzbach
This is the first time that Soriano spoke on behalf of Wurtzbach to address allegations, and also to defend themselves amid allegations of stealing fashion week contacts for her.
Soriano used to be part of Evangelista’s glam team, along with hairstylist Jeck Aguilar, before they parted ways in 2023 amid allegations of stealing contacts, maxed out credit cards, and use of black propaganda online. The matters took a turn for the worse when Wurtzbach took in Evangelista’s former glam team under her wing as she was starting out in the fashion week.
Wurtzbach made headlines recently after gracing the fashion shows of French cosmetics brand L’Oreal and designer Michael Cinco during the Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 edition.
The former beauty queen was also among the top influencers for Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025.