Chelsea Manalo. Image: Seven Barretto via Instagram/@manalochelsea
Chelsea Manalo clarified that she and her fellow candidates were informed about Miss Universe’s newly minted continental queens, although she confessed that she has no idea why it wasn’t announced during the coronation.
Despite her Top 30 finish, Manalo was named Miss Universe Asia by the organization. Her title, along with fellow continental queens, was announced moments after the coronation of reigning titleholder Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark.
Manalo addressed her Miss Universe Asia title in a “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview aired on Thursday, Dec. 12, when she was asked about her title.
“This year, they brought the continental queens and yes, they did inform us about this while we were in the pageant na. So, these were just like behind the cameras. We were briefed about, you know, what will happen,” she said.
The beauty queen said the continental queens were “carefully selected” by the organization and “the girls themselves.”
“Siguro it boiled down to the preliminary interview at the same time, so that they said they wanna choose the girls that they can best work with,” she said.
But when asked why the continental queens were announced after the coronation, Manalo admitted that she “has no idea about it.”
“Na-brief naman kami backstage what we are going to do (We were briefed backstage about what we were going to do),” she said.
“We will be working hand in hand with the different continental queens and with Miss Universe, Miss Victoria [Theilvig]. So working with the charity, working with the organization so we’re part of Miss Universe this year,” continued Manalo.
Manalo also touched on the rumors that she bagged the Best in Evening Gown award, to which she reiterated that there’s “no official announcement.”
“Wala pa kasing official announcement si Miss Universe. There’s no claim to it. But I guess the people really liked the stint that I did, so I’m really thankful na even the organization saw that,” she said.
Other continental queens include Peru’s Tatiana Calmell (Miss Universe Americas), Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina (Miss Universe Africa and Oceania), and Finland’s Matilda Wirtavuori (Miss Universe Europe & Middle East).
Aside from her Miss Universe Asia title, Manalo also brought home the Best in National Costume award.