Celeste Cortesi recalls struggles after failed Miss Universe bid
- Celeste Cortesi opened up about her shock after not making the Top 16 at Miss Universe 2022
- She admitted she had been confident due to intense preparation and focus
- The beauty queen recalled isolating herself for days as she processed the disappointment
- Cortesi shared that she eventually coped and regained her sense of balance
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Miss Universe Philippines 2022 titleholder Celeste Cortesi candidly reflected on one of the most talked-about moments of her pageant journey, the time she failed to enter the Top 16 at the Miss Universe 2022, ending the Philippines’ long-standing semifinal streak.
Source: Instagram
Speaking on the podcast of Kylie Verzosa, Cortesi shared that the outcome came as a shock to her, especially given the level of preparation and dedication she invested in the competition.
She revealed that she had approached the pageant with intense focus and commitment, believing that she had done everything possible to secure a spot in the semifinals:
“Honestly, I was also shocked… I just prepared so much with obsession. There was nothing that could take me out of focus from Miss Universe, and I truly gave it my all.”
Like and share our Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Share your thoughts in the comments. We love reading them!
Cortesi admitted that she had been confident going into the competition, expecting to at least make it to the Top 16 and continue fighting from there:
“I was just thinking to myself, there is no way that I can’t make Top 16, babe. Come on now.
“I knew that I was going to make Top 16 and I’m gonna fight from there. However, I didn’t.”
She also pointed out that her experience was not isolated, noting that several Asian candidates also failed to advance that year, which added to the unexpected nature of the results:
“I remember it was not just about me, but a lot of Asian countries didn’t make it that year, like Thailand and Cambodia… And I remember half of the stadium walked out.”
The beauty queen described the atmosphere as unprecedented, emphasizing how unusual the situation felt during the event:
“It was just shocking. This never happened before…”
Following the pageant, Cortesi shared that she retreated into isolation to process the disappointment. She revealed that she stayed in her room for days after returning to Los Angeles:
“I closed myself in my room when we traveled back to LA for like 2 to 3 days. Nobody can get me out of there…”
She explained that withdrawing and resting is her natural way of coping with emotional challenges, allowing herself time to recover mentally and physically:
“But this is how I cope with problems. I’m like a couch. I don’t move, I don’t drink, I don’t eat… I was just sleeping. I just don’t do anything and then I go back to my senses eventually.”
Celeste Cortesi was born on December 15, 1997, to a Filipino mother and an Italian father. She first entered the local pageant scene through Miss Earth Philippines 2018, where she began building her name in the industry. Her recognition grew significantly after she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2022. Having spent much of her early life in Italy, Cortesi eventually relocated to the Philippines to pursue pageantry and establish her career in the country.
Earlier this month, Cortesi announced that she is expecting her first child. She shared the news through a heartfelt social media post that included a silhouette photo highlighting her baby bump, along with ultrasound images. The caption reflected themes of unconditional love and new beginnings, drawing warm reactions from fellow beauty queens and celebrities who flooded the post with congratulatory messages.
In a related report, Cortesi also revealed the gender of her baby with her partner, Jonathan Sterling. In a post dated April 29, she documented the moment through a cake gender reveal, confirming the baby’s gender. She also shared that they have already chosen a name for their child and included a nostalgic photo of herself with her Italian father, adding a deeply personal element to the announcement.
Bagong feature: Tingnan ang mga balitang para sa'yo ➡️ hanapin ang "Recommended for you" block at mag-enjoy!
Source: KAMI.com.gh
