Celeste explains: “I have my bets but I fully support whoever wins”
Sparkle artist and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi has clarified her tweet regarding the results of Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
The 26-year-old Italian-Filipina beauty queen has drawn flak overnight, after seemingly expressing her dissatisfaction over the recently concluded pageant on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Following the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 coronation night on May 22, 2024, Celeste took her sentiments to X (formerly Twitter) by asking, “WHAT JUST HAPPENED.” It was then followed by the hashtag #muph2024.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED#muph2024
— Celeste Cortesi (@SCCortesi) May 22, 2024
In a succeeding tweet, she talked about Taguig’s Christi McGarry’s answer being flawless—which indicates that she is rooting for the 34-year-old contestant. She writes, “Ang ganda ganda ni Christi tas perfect yung answer nya!!!”
Ang ganda ganda ni Christi tas perfect yung answer nya !!!!! ???
— Celeste Cortesi (@SCCortesi) May 22, 2024
Many netizens have then paid attention to Celeste’s comment, with some even pointing out that the same question goes for her at the time she was competing for the Miss Universe crown.
Some expressed hate towards the beauty queen, while most of the comments called Celeste out for demeriting the hard work that the winners have dedicated in their journey towards crown.
IMAGE: celeste_cortesi on Instagram
Hours later, Celeste then responded to the online backlash, saying that her statement was misunderstood. According to her, she was only confused about the deliberation process for the other four crowns.
It can be noted that Iloilo’s Alexie Brooks was given the Miss Eco International Philippines crown despite not being included in the podium finish. Such is also the case for Pampanga’s Cyrille Payumo who failed to advance to the final five but was still merited with the Miss Charm Philippines crown.
Now making a case for those who were in the top five, Celeste asserts that Cainta’s Stacey Gabriel, who placed first runner-up, went home without any crown—just like Christi who also ended empty-handed despite making it to the final five.
She writes, “Ya’ll need to chill. Haha. What I meant by what happened is how the other crowns were distributed. Where’s Cainta? Where’s Taguig? Stop trying to make an issue, I have my bets but I fully support [whoever] wins.”
Ya’ll need to chill. Haha. What I meant by what happened is how the other crowns were distributed. Where’s Cainta? where’s Taguig? Stop trying to make an issue, I have my bets but I fully support who ever wins
— Celeste Cortesi (@SCCortesi) May 22, 2024
In the comment section, a netizen has explained the technicalities of the selection process—particularly on why Christi was not given any crown. As she has it, Christi’s age is no longer accepted in the age bracket required by these pageant organizations.
Celeste was a heavy favorite during her time in Miss Universe Philippines 2022—as the official delegate of Pasay. When she won the national crown, she then competed in the United States but failed to advance as a semi-finalist. The eventual winner was R’Bonney Gabriel of USA.
READ ALSO: Bulacan’s Chelsea Manalo Crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024
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