Critical Beauty

In this vlog, I react to the finals of Miss Universe Philippines 2024 that took place on May 22, 2024 at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.  

  The Philippines has found a new queen in Chelsea Anne Manalo of Bulacan, who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024 during the grand coronation night on Wednesday, May 22, beating 52 other delegates and the first ever half-Black to win the title. Dubbed “Bulacan Barbie,” the 24-year-old was born and raised in Meycauyan City to a Black American father and a Filipino mother, who divorced in 2000. After the divorce, her mother married a Filipino. She has been joining beauty pageants since high school and has also been modeling since she was 14 years old and has landed covers in magazines such as Mega. In 2017, Manalo participated in Miss World Philippines, finishing in the top 15. She graduated with a tourism degree in college, and aside from pageantry, she developed a greater passion for music and dancing. In her journey as a pageant competitor, one of her advocacies is championing the cause of indigenous youth education. In 2017, Manalo participated in Miss World Philippines, fin

  Here are my top 20 favorites for Miss Universe Philippines 2024.  Find out who my number 1 is!

  Stephanie Skinner   is choosing a different path.  After Miss Teen USA 2023 winner  UmaSofia Srivastava  announced she was  resigning from her title , the pageant's runner-up opted not to take the crown in her place.  "I worked so hard and sacrificed so much for this goal to become Miss Teen USA," Stephanie, 19, told   People   in an interview published May 13, "and although this title was a dream of mine, I believe one thing I will never give up is my character." And while the Miss New York Teen USA admitted that it was an "extremely difficult" choice to make, she also said she was confident that it was "the right decision." Stephanie's rejection of the title arrives less than a week after UmaSofia, 17, shared that she was leaving behind her Miss Teen USA role in the wake of  Miss USA   2023 winner   Noelia Voigt 's resignation.  "After careful consideration," UmaSofia wrote in a   May 8 Instagram post , "I've de

  Miss Hawaii USA Savannah Gankiewicz has been named Miss USA 2023 following Noelia Voigt's resignation earlier this week. "I fully support and respect Noelia's decision to step down, and I stand in solidarity with mental health awareness," Gankiewicz, 28, said in a statement shared to the Miss USA website on Thursday. "I accept the crown knowing that I have been uplifted by my supporters, family, friends, and the people of Hawaii throughout this journey. I accept this title on their behalf." On her own Instagram page, Gankiewicz shared a longer message about her decision to accept the crown and her support for Voigt, who announced on Monday that she would be stepping down from her post in order to prioritize her mental health.  "Please know that my decision to accept the Miss USA crown was not one that was made lightly," wrote Gankiewicz, who will be crowned on Wednesday, May 15. "I stand with Noelia and admire her strength to step down and

BREAKING: UmaSofia Srivastava just posted on her Instagram on May 8 a statement announcing her resignation as Miss Teen USA 2023, just two days after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt tendered her resignation citing mental health. In her statement, UmaSofia writes that “my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization” and that she will continue advocating for educating and acceptance. Following Noelia’s suit, UmaSofia now becomes the first Miss Teen USA to ever resign from her position, just less than three months before crowning her successor. Though her decision may seem unfortunate and sad, she’s a beautiful and smart young woman and we believe she will have a brighter and bigger future ahead. 🙏

  Celinee Santos Frías , 24, representing Distrito Nacional, was crowned Miss Dominican Republic 2024 on the evening of May 5 at Centro de Convenciones de Sambil. She will now represent her country in Miss Universe 2024 to be held in Mexico whose date has yet to be confirmed. The first runner-up is Melissa  Núñez of the Dominican community of the U.S. and the second runner-up is Haidy Cruz, the 46-year-old fitness instructor representing Monte Cristi. Celinee is not new to pageantry. In 2019, she was in top 6 of Miss Dominican Republic and competed in Miss Intercontinental where she placed in the top 20. In 2022, she was fourth runner-up in Miss International. Crowned Miss International Dominican Republic 2024 is half-Dominican half-Japanese Miyuki Cruz who represented the Dominican community of Japan. Crowned Reina Hispanoamerica Dominican Republic 2024 is Mariela Mota representing Santo Domingo Oeste.   

  Miss USA  Noelia Voigt announced Monday she is relinquishing her crown to prioritize her mental health. Voigt, 24, who captured the Miss USA crown in September, posted on  Instagram   that she is resigning. “In life, I strongly value the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health. As individuals, we grow through experiencing different things in life that lead us to learning more about ourselves,” she wrote. “My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, representing Utah with pride, and later the USA at Miss Universe," Voigt said. "Sadly, I have made the very tough decision to resign from the title of Miss USA 2023.” The Miss USA Pageant said in a statement to NBC News that it respect's Voigt's decision and has accepted her resignation. “We respect and support former Miss USA Noelia Voigt’s decision to step down from her duties," the organization said Monday. "The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority,

  This interview was conducted via Zoom on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 12:00 PM EST. Amanda van Wezel will compete in Miss Grand Netherlands 2024 on July 21, 2024. Follow Amanda's journey to the crown via her Instagram @amandavanwezel