Celeste Cortesi on the new Miss Universe owner, preparing for the pageant, and advice from Rabiya and Bea

Los Angeles – We first met the beautiful Celeste Cortesi in France, while we were attending the Cannes Film Festival in May. Back then, she was a shy 25-year-old stunner.

Fast forward to December and the 5’9” tall looker has transformed into a very confident and eloquent beauty pageant titleholder-model.

Representing the Philippines in the coming 71st Miss Universe pageant, Cortesi recently arrived in Los Angeles to continue the final leg of her training and preparation for the competition.

The pageant, which will take place on January 14, 2023 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, will see Celeste compete against almost 90 candidates from 67 countries.

Before becoming Miss Universe Philippines, Silvia Celeste Rabimbi Cortesi first ruled as Miss Earth Philippines 2018.

We were able to interview the Filipina-Italian beauty queen in person in Los Angeles. Below are excerpts of our exclusive interview:

Congratulations on being the Miss Universe Philippines candidate. So how has this journey so far been for you?

It’s been amazing. It has been seven months since I have been crowned and I had a lot of time to prepare, and a lot of time with my team. I cannot wait to be in the competition.

How did you prepare physically, mentally and emotionally?

It’s a bit hard because you do not only prepare physically but also mentally and emotionally. I underwent intense training. But it was amazing to learn many things about myself and I also share this experience with my team.

To be in the Miss Universe pageant requires candidates to be mentally tough. What part of your training helped you a lot in staying tough but cool under tremendous pressure?

There was no one specific training to be honest but you have to be able to control your mind and your emotions during the competition. The training I got was based on all my experiences in the past even before you joined the pageant. It is how you have shaped your mind that made me a tough and cool person at the same time. I will put everything into action in the competition.

Have you received any advice from the former Miss Universe titleholders from the Philippines? Please share from whom and what kind of advice did they give you?

Everybody gave me advice – Bea (Gomez, 2021), Rabiya (Mateo, 2020). I talk to them often. They told me that I should be able to enjoy myself and enjoy the experience because once we are in the competition, we tend to forget the experience and enjoy every moment of it since this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, they told me to enjoy it.

Miss Universe USA, R’Bonney Gabriel has Filipino heritage. What are you looking forward about meeting her?

I really can’t wait to meet her. I heard we have so many things in common I truly appreciate the fact that she is also into her Filipino culture, heritage and tradition.

Can you comment on the wonderful news that the Miss Universe franchise is now owned by a beautiful Asian and a trans woman, Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip of JKN Global Group?

I am very proud and happy that the Miss Universe is now very open and inclusive, and it is owned by a woman for the very first time. That is very powerful. I am looking forward to meeting her.

You were in Los Angeles earlier this year. What is different from that Celeste Cortesi who was here several months ago to the Celeste Cortesi who is now back in Los Angeles?

During that time, I have learned so many things about myself. When I arrived in the Philippines five years ago, I did not have any knowledge of Tagalog and English. Nothing at all. So now I speak Tagalog and English, so I believe I have changed for the better. It was a 365-degree change. I am happy for the person I have become but I believe I still have to learn a lot of things.

I know and understand that your evening gown and national costume are top secret. But can you give us some hints?

I cannot say what it will be, but the national costume is something new. It has not been used before. I am very excited about that.

As for the final gown, it will definitely be a reflection of me. And I like it that my team is very considerate of my feelings and what I will bring to the Miss Universe stage.

How about your everyday wardrobe during the pageant? What can you tell us about it especially in terms of being proud of our talented Filipino designers?

All my outfits are amazing and beautiful. They are unique and fashionable.

Have you always been competitive as a child? How would you describe yourself as a child growing up?

Being competitive as a person is good for as long as you do not forget to be kind and nice to people. Healthy competition is good because it is a chance to learn more and grow.

You visited your mother recently in Italy. Talk about that reunion.

It was the best moment of my life. And I would like to thank Miss Universe Philippines for making it possible. It was my first time that I saw my mom in three years. It is so hard to stay away from my mother but everything that I do is for her and my family. Once I saw her, I could not control my emotions. I was so happy that I was there, and I am glad that she is also coming to New Orleans.

You were raised by your mother as a single parent after your father passed away. What life lessons or gems have you learned from your mom that you want to pass on to your future children when you have your own family?

I have always believed that I got my strength from my dad. But knowing that my single mom raised my sister and I by herself in a foreign country, now I realize that I got my strength from my mother.

I see all the challenges that she went through especially when I see the sadness in her eyes. I learned not to give up no matter what struggles I go through. There is always a way to move forward. And I always remember and am inspired by the strength of my mom when I go through my own challenges.

If you become the next Miss Universe, what would be your advocacy or platform and why did you choose this and how will you promote it?

I have been working very closely with Save the Children Philippines. We deal with children who are hungry and malnourished and my first mission with them was to go to a very remote area in the Philippines and talk to the mothers and children there. It was a very heartbreaking experience.

When I asked a mother what does she do or say to her children when there is nothing to eat. She immediately cried. The first thing that came to my mind was my mother.

They are two totally different mothers, but two things come to mind that they share in common – they feel powerless when it comes to providing for their own children and they will try to do anything to help them. That is why it is close to my heart. I can relate to that experience and that will be my platform.

The Filipinos in the Philippines and all over the world are supporting and rooting for you. What is your message to them?

I am just very grateful to the Filipino fans. They are the best. They have supported me since day one. They have provided me unconditional support and love and for that I am forever grateful. I promise them that when I go to the Miss Universe competition, I will always bring them with me. They will always be in my heart. — LA, GMA Integrated News