'I see the stars aligning': Chelsea Manalo on Miss Universe 2024 closed-door interview
MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo is in high hopes after wrapping up her closed-door interview for the 73rd Miss Universe pageant.
Chelsea, along will nearly 130 other delegates from around the world, all participated in closed-door interviews ahead of the pageant's preliminary round in two days' time and the coronation this weekend.
After the interview session, Chelsea briefly recalled the experience on her social media accounts, sharing her photos wearing a Barong-corset top and pants by Jot Losa.
"I walked in with a calm heart and left feeling proud. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to share my story, embracing every part of it with authenticity and grace," she said.
The beauty queen added it reminded her of the closed-door interview she did for Miss Universe Philippines earlier this year where she "felt the power of speaking from the heart."
"Back then, I spoke with sincerity, and today was no different. Here’s to representing the Philippines with pride and staying true to myself," Chelsea ended.
In an interview with Dyan Castillejo, who is in Mexico where the 73rd Miss Universe pageant will take place, Chelsea shared more about what happened during the interview.
Chelsea said she was asked personal questions like who she was and her personality, and in the latter she displayed the power of Filipina women being worthy of the crown once more.
Beyond her roommate Peru's Tatiana Calmell and the other competing Filipinas — New Zealand's Victoria Velasquez Vincent, Great Britain's Christine Dela Cruz Chalk, and Bahrain's Shereen Ahmed — Chelsea said she is getting along with Pakistan's Noor Xarmina.
The beauty queen also praised the Mexican community and its many similarities with the Philippines like being family-oriented and the festivities.
"Nae-enjoy ko 'yung laban, I can see the stars aligning," Chelsea ended. "In a galaxy full of stars... 'yung pinakamaliit na star, that's the one that will shine the most."
If successful, Chelsea will be the fifth Philippine queen to be crowned Miss Universe after Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Pia Wurtzbach, and Catriona Gray.
Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios will crown her successor on November 15 (the 17th in the Philippines).
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