Chanel Thomas reacts to comment ‘she looks old’ for Miss Universe pageant
Chanel Olive Thomas in her 2025 Miss Universe Philippines evening gown portrait. Image: Instagram/@chanelolive_
Miss Universe Philippines 2025 (MUPH) candidate Chanel Olive Thomas clapped back at a netizen who shamed her for “looking old” to join the beauty pageant.
Thomas posted her MUPH portrait on her Instagram page where the netizen’s comment, “she looks old,” was attached. In response, the beauty queen wrote in her caption, “Miss Universe accepts me, bakit naman hindi (Why not)? [red heart emoji] Age isn’t a setback; it’s our power.”
The former Miss Supranational Philippines emphasized that no one is too old to pursue a dream.
“At 34, I’ve never felt more beautiful because of my experiences that have shaped me into the woman I am today. To every woman told she’s ‘too old’ to chase a dream—DO IT ANYWAY,” she concluded the post.
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In the comments section, the beauty queen clarified that her response isn’t to single out one netizen, but to point out that “bashing” someone who is in pursuit of a dream is not acceptable.
“By the way, my post wasn’t directed at one person — there have been many toxic comments. This is about starting a discussion and making it clear that this behavior is not okay. Let’s support courage when people chase their dreams instead of tearing them down. The truth is, we can all flourish and dream at any stage of life,” she stated.
Image: Instagram/@chanelolive_
In 2023, Miss Universe waived age limits for participants in its pageant and its affiliated tilts. Originally, delegates needed to be 18 to 28 years old by the start of the international competition.
Thomas, who finished in the Top 10 of Miss Supranational 2017, is now taking her shot to secure the 2025 MUPH crown.
Just this week, the MUPH organization released the official portraits of the 69 delegates in their respective evening gowns.
Aside from Thomas, who is representing Nueva Ecija, pageant veterans Muntinlupa City’s Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, Quezon Province’s Ahtisa Manalo, Yllana Aduana from Siniloan, Laguna, and Sultan Kudarat’s Chelsea Fernandez are among those competing this year.
Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo is set to crown her successor on May 2. The eventual winner will represent the Philippines in the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand in November.
