On Wednesday, May 22, Chelsea Manalo created a history of becoming the first Filipino-American woman to win the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 title. The crowning moment turned emotional when her parents backed her up on the stage with teary eyes.
Truthfully, throughout Chelsea’s Miss Universe journey, her parents consistently supported her at her best.
During her preliminary interview for pageantry, she said, “My mother and my dad support me in everything that i want. They never told me to not chase my dream and when i told that its time to join Miss Universe, they were all supportive.”
Chelsea also said that her parents accompanied her as her hair and makeup stylist on that particular day. She added, “My mom and dad were my personal assistant.”
After winning the title, she reportedly said that becoming Miss Universe was her dream and her parents’ too.
Chelsea Manalo’s mother, Contessa Manalo, was absolutely overwhelmed by her daughter’s win
Recently, Chelsea Manalo’s mother, Contessa, talked to the media about her overwhelming experience of seeing her daughter get crowned Miss Universe Philippines.
Contessa said, “I’m so happy, I’m crying because I’m so happy, I thank the Lord, my daughter’s dream came true,” in Filipino. She appeared really thrilled, even holding her chest at one moment while expressing her emotions.
Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo’s mom, Contessa Manalo, is overcome with emotion after her daughter’s win.
— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) May 23, 2024
Chelsea’s parents have been very supportive of her pageant journey, and are so happy to see their daughter’s dream fulfilled ❤️@theMUPH #muph2024 pic.twitter.com/2D81kuKnwv
Well, she was the one who always gave much strength to her daughter Chelsea whenever people bullied her for being a colored child.
As per Chelsea, her mother always taught her to ‘believe in herself and uphold the vows that she has in herself.’
Miss Universe Philipines Chelsea was born to a Black-American father but grew up with her Filipino step-dad
Ever since Chelsea Manalo and her Filipino parents’ pictures went viral on Twitter, certain people seem to doubt whether they are her biological parents.
One Twitter user wrote, “Her parents looks Filipino. Is her biological black?” But that’s not the case. Chelsea was actually born to her Filipino mother and a black-American father.
A touching moment for Chelsea Manalo and her parents as they reunite after her Miss Universe Philippines 2024 win❤️ pic.twitter.com/pptcU6vS8q
— Louise ~ PageantsNews (@PageantsNEWS) May 22, 2024
But, as per GMA-reports, her biological father passed away, and her mom remarried a Filipino man who raised Chelsea like his own child in Meycauayan City, Bulacan.
So, Chelsea’s accomplishment was a moment of pride for her step-father as well; there’s no doubt.
Additional Information
- Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Chelsea Manalo, is currently 22 years old.
- While some media reports suggest that her father’s demise led her mother to remarry, some others said that her mom and her biological father’s separation in 2000 changed her family circumstances.
- Chelsea earned her degree in tourism but always dreamed of competing in pageantry. She participated two times in pageantry, first in Miss World Philippines 2017 (ended in the top 15), and in Miss Universe Philippines 2024 (won the title).
