Miss Universe 2024: Filipino pride in the 73rd pageant

MEXICO CITY — Aside from Philippine bet Chelsea Manalo, the Miss Universe 2024 will see several other Filipinos raising the flag in the international competition.

Four contestants of Filipino descent

The pressure is on, with expectations high for Chelsea, the country’s first Filipino Black American delegate, to bring home the Philippines’ fifth Miss U crown.

Manalo’s unique features and biracial beauty have garnered attention on social media, including praise from former supermodel and TV personality Tyra Banks. In Manalo’s official headshot for Miss Universe, captioned “Philippines, let’s make it happen,” Banks commented, “Get it, girl!!!!!”

Manalo is not alone in the competition. Three other half-Pinay contestants will be gracing the Miss Universe stage: New Zealand’s Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Great Britain’s Christina Dela Cruz Chalk, and Bahrain’s Shereen Ahmed.

Vincent is a Filipina Kiwi model and pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe New Zealand 2024.

She was born and raised in Auckland, with her mother, Josephine, hailing from Bacoor, Cavite. After overcoming a challenging past marked by relationship violence, she rebranded herself by dropping her first name, Kim, at the age of 22.

Vincent represented East Auckland during the final night held at the Dorothy Winstone Centre on Sept. 29 and won the Best in Swimsuit and People’s Choice awards.

Dela Cruz Chalk, meanwhile, is a Filipino British beauty pageant titleholder who recently earned the title of Miss Universe Great Britain 2024.

After three previous attempts, she finally secured the crown in July. Growing up in Dunblane, Scotland, Dela Cruz Chalk is the daughter of a Filipino mother and a Scottish father. She holds a degree in pharmacology from the University of Glasgow and began modeling at 15, gaining recognition as Scotland’s New Face at the Scottish Fashion Awards in 2009.

Dela Cruz Chalk has also modeled for high-profile brands like Swarovski and Vogue. In 2013, she appeared on the reality TV show Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model.

Another remarkable contestant is Shereen Ahmed, a half-Filipina and half-Bahraini beauty who has been crowned Miss U Bahrain 2024.

A 29-year-old TV presenter, Ahmed seized the opportunity to compete after the pageant’s age limit was lifted, ultimately securing the Miss U Bahrain title.

She joins Manalo as the fourth Filipina contestant vying for the prestigious crown this year.

A new leadership role for a Filipina skincare mogul

In January this year, the Miss Universe Organization welcomed a new vice president: Filipina skincare mogul Olivia Quido-Co from Los Angeles. The Fil-Am entrepreneur and skincare expert has been appointed vice president for global partnerships, in addition to her ongoing role as CEO and president of the Miss Universe Skincare and Spa division.

Quido-Co has been a vital presence in the Miss U pageant for years, serving as the official skincare provider and, most recently, as a judge in the 2023 competition.

Just yesterday, she convened national directors and business partners for an impactful town hall meeting, where they explored new opportunities, innovations and collaborations aimed at elevating the pageant to new heights.

Last week, she spent time with the Miss Universe candidates, sharing conversations filled with laughter and gratitude.

“I am grateful to have shared the stage with 130 talented delegates at the Beauty Day Masterclass in Mexico. It was an unforgettable day of elegance, empowerment, and inspiration!” she said in a social media post.

Quido-Co arrived in Mexico a week before the finals, excited to engage with everyone involved.

“We aim to be more inclusive and welcoming, empowering all women from diverse backgrounds and cultures around the world,” she told Inquirer.net USA.

Global fashion icon Michael Cinco joins the judging panel 

Filipino designer Michael Cinco, a global fashion icon based in Dubai, has been selected as one of the judges for Miss Universe 2024.

Founded in 2003, Cinco’s eponymous label has gained international acclaim, and he is now set to play a pivotal role in choosing the next Miss Universe.

“I’m truly honored to be part of the Miss Universe 2024 selection committee,” Cinco told Inquirer.net USA. “This opportunity allows me to witness and celebrate the remarkable talents, intelligence, and strength of the contestants from across the globe. It’s inspiring to see so many unique stories and perspectives come together on such a grand platform. Being involved in choosing a representative who will use her voice to make an impact worldwide is a privilege, and I look forward to seeing each contestant shine.”

From his studio in the Dubai Design District, Michael has dressed global icons like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Rihanna. In 2016, he became the first Filipino designer invited to Paris Fashion Week.

Cinco’s designs have frequently appeared at Miss Universe. He created the gown worn by Miss USA Elle Smith in 2021 and dressed judges Urvashi Rautela and Iris Mittenaere.

Notably, his creations were worn by Miss U 2020 Andrea Meza as she crowned India’s Harnaaz Sandhu in 2021 and by Pia Wurtzbach during her final walk in 2016. His exquisite gowns have also adorned contestants from countries such as Canada, Romania, Argentina, Uruguay and the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, this year’s pageant will be co-hosted by former winners R’Bonney Gabriel and Catriona Gray.

For the third consecutive year, Gray has been invited to serve as a commentator for Miss Universe. She previously held this role in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2022, and in El Salvador in 2023. This year, she returns to Mexico City.

Gray mentioned in a report that while she was considered for the main hosting position, she feels blessed to be anchoring the sidelines for the event.

Gabriel, the Miss Universe 2022 titleholder, is excited to make her debut as a preliminary round host.

Both Gray, originally from Australia, and Gabriel, from Texas, are biracial and now based in the Philippines, where they are thriving in their individual showbiz careers.

New Miss Universe crown designed by Filipino artisan

The new Miss Universe crown, named “Lumiere De L’Infini,” was crafted by a designer from Cebu and features gold plating adorned with 23 golden pearls.

This year’s crown was presented by current Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios, during yesterday’s ceremony in Mexico City.

The unveiling event attracted prominent figures including Raul Rocha, president of Miss Universe, and Anne Jakrajutatip, executive director of JKN Global Group, the pageant’s parent company.

Rocha described the crown as “the most beautiful in the history of Miss Universe,” highlighting its elements that reflect the organization’s rich history.

Designed by Jewelmer, a Cebu-based jeweler collaborating with Miss Universe for the first time, the crown showcases traditional craftsmanship and incorporates the rare golden pearl, the national gem of the Philippines. The event was attended by 127 contestants and notable figures from the pageant world, including Osmel Sousa and various delegation directors.

On the other hand, Jojo Bragais unveiled a new pair of heels called the Chelsea, inspired by Manalo, just before the Miss Universe pageant.

The open-toe metallic silver heels are designed to celebrate “relentless dreamers and resilient underdogs,” embodying the spirit of perseverance.

Bragais has a strong history in pageantry, having designed shoes for various Miss Universe events since 2015.

This year’s pageant has removed many previous restrictions including age, marital status and body type for contestants. For the first time, mothers were allowed to participate last year.

All delegates now in Mexico are preparing for the preliminary competition tonight. The main event and coronation will take place on Nov. 16 at Arena Ciudad de Mexico, marking the end of Palacios’ reign and the start of a new era for the iconic pageant.

The preliminary gala will showcase 30 finalists, while the final round will feature performances in evening gown and swimwear.

This year’s competition includes nearly 130 women from around the globe, selected through personal statements, interviews and various events.

During the finals, the 30 selected candidates will participate in a new swimsuit round, with 18 eliminated. The remaining 12 will showcase evening gowns, leading to 7 more eliminations.

The final 5 will answer jury questions to determine the winner.

Apart from Cinco, the selection committee includes notable figures such as producer Emilio Estefan, influencer Lele Pons, artist Romero Britto, fashion designer Eva Cavalli and former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner.

The Miss Universe 2024 contest will be aired in Spanish on Telemundo on Nov. 16 across the US, with simulcasts on Telemundo Internacional and USA Network throughout Latin and Central America.