Chelsea Manalo walks Cannes Film Festival red carpet: 'We made it!'
The first Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo had one of her dreams come true as she walked down the highly prestigious Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet.
On Instagram, the 25-year-old Bulakenya stunner shared her experience being surrounded by the glitz and glam of the film industry.
"Walking the red carpet at Cannes still feels like a dream, one that I manifested, believed in, and held close to my heart. I've always trusted that everything happens for a reason, and this journey to France has proven just that," she wrote in the caption.
Chelsea added, "From dreaming about being here to now walking the carpet and being part of the [Miss Universe], this is more than I ever imagined."
The beauty queen wore a show-stopping couture masterpiece by Michael Cinco. It features a form-fitting, floor-length silhouette accentuated by a flamboyant fan-like ruffle exploding from one shoulder and cascading around her back. She completed her look with a sleek bun with soft bangs and accessories from Jewelmer.
"I'm deeply grateful to the incredible team who made this possible, flew me here, and helped me shine. Most of all, I walked this carpet carrying the love and support of everyone who has stood by me. This moment is for every Filipino who dared to dream, we made it," she concluded her post.
Aside from Chelsea, other Filipinos who turned heads on the international film festival's red carpet are drag superstar Marina Summers, the first Filipino drag queen to grace the event, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.
Chelsea won the Miss Universe Philippines title in May 2024, making her the first Filipino-Black American to win. She represented the country at the international pageant in Mexico, where she finished in the Top 30.
Despite not winning the country's fifth crown, Chelsea made history as the first Miss Universe Asia—one of the pageant's continental crowns. Joining her were Nigeria's Chidimma Adetshina, Finland's Matilda Wirtavuori, and Peru's Tati Calmell, who were named continental queens for Africa and Oceania, Europe, and the Americas, respectively.
On May 2, she passed the crown to her successor, Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, at the recently concluded Miss Universe Philippines 2025.
