Celeste Cortesi wants to focus on running her business amid calls to rejoin pageants
Celeste Cortesi has spoken about whether she'll join pageants in the near future.
On X, the beauty queen wrote that she wants to focus on her newly launched lip care brand.
"I know how much you guys want to see me compete again, but for now I'm really focused on running my business, Asul," she wrote.
I know how much you guys want to see me compete again, but for now I’m really focused on running my business, Asul. I’m happy cheering for our girls sa sidelines. Next stop, Chelsea. 😊🩵
— Celeste Cortesi (@SCCortesi) October 25, 2024
This comes after pageant fans urged the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 to join Miss Grand International next year following the stellar performance of CJ Opiaza, who won first runner-up.
"Ikaw talaga hinahanap ng MGI!!!" a fan wrote on X.
"@SCCortesi mhie ikaw nalang ang tanging pag-asa namin bwhahahahaha ilaban mo na kami pleaseee," another user commented.
Nonetheless, Celeste said that she'll be rooting for Filipinas competing in pageants including Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo.
"I'm happy cheering for our girls sa sidelines. Next stop, Chelsea."
'I know it's not for me'
Last January, the 26-year-old beauty queen-turned-actress said during a media conference for GMA sitcom Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis that she was bidding pageantry goodbye.
"Ayaw ko na sa beauty pageant, I’m done with beauty pageants. Tapos na ako roon," she noted.
She said she wanted to focus on her acting career. "As of now, I wouldn't do it again (pageantry). I know it's not for me. Finally, I have something I can work at, [and] that's acting."
"Closed na. I think I have already [given] it all. I had such an amazing experience. I had the chance to meet wonderful people, and I think that's enough for me," she continued.
Meanwhile, earlier in October, she launched her lip-care brand, Azul as her realized "dream."
"[Two] years ago, Asul was just an idea, [two] years later, it became reality," she wrote in the caption.
Celeste represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant on Jan. 15 in New Orleans, USA, but she failed to make it to the finals.
She also represented the country at the Miss Earth 2018 pageant, where she finished in the Top 8. Currently, she is part of the Sparkle GMA Artist Center.