Photo / Miss Universe
Celeste Cortesi made headlines with her looks at the Miss Universe preliminary competition and national costume show. This is especially true for her national costume, where she wore a Darna-inspired look.
In case you missed the competition and want to catch up, the Miss Universe uploaded the entire show on its YouTube channel.
Watch the Miss Universe swimsuit competition here:
In the swimsuit competition, Cortesi wore a pink two-piece with a cape. While walking, she was described as a “25-year-old model with an interest in real estate but nothing is more important to her than the work she does in a poor rural community educating parents on how to raise and feed their children.”
Watch the Miss Universe evening gown competition here:
In the evening gown segment, Cortesi donned a sky-blue number designed by Oliver Tolentino. The hosts mentioned her love of travel and her support of mental health.
Watch the Miss Universe national costume show here:
Lastly, Cortesi came out as Darna during the national costume show, wearing a red outfit and boots also designed by Tolentino. The headpiece and select accessories were designed by Jerome Navarro.
According to the voiceover, “Darna is the ultimate Filipina superhero and part of this country’s pop culture. She transforms from an ordinary woman with the help of a white stone, standing up for those who cannot defend themselves. Have no fear ’cause Darna is here in the Philippines.”
The preliminary competition was hosted by news anchor Randi Rousseau and Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu.
Fast facts
Cortesi is a 25-year-old Filipino-Italian model. She has a Filipino mother and an Italian father and was born on December 15, 1997, in Rome, Italy. The Miss Universe pageant is not her first win. She was also crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2018. Cortesi has modeled for fashion shows both in Italy and the Philippines.
The Miss Universe pageant will be held on January 14, 2023, at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Louisiana, USA.
If Cortesi wins, she will be the fifth Filipino to win the Miss Universe title, following Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Pia Wurtzbach, and Catriona Gray.
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