‘No tears, just pizza’: Updates about Celeste Cortesi after Miss Universe 2022 coronation night

January 16, 2023 - 12:04 PM

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Celeste Cortesi with her team — Composite photo of Celeste Cortesi in her evening gown during the preliminaries and Celeste with her team after the 71st Miss Universe competition (Miss Universe, Voltaire Tayag's Instagram)

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“Thank you so much for your love and support.”

This was the message of Celeste Cortesi to her fans after she failed to advance to the Top 16 of the 71st Miss Universe pageant.

Celeste concluded her Miss Universe 2022 journey early after her name was not called among the finalists during the coronation night on Saturday, January 14. (January 15, Manila time). This ended the Philippines’ 12-year streak of reaching the semifinals in Miss Universe competitions.

In an interview with Dyan Castillejo after the coronation night, Celeste expressed her love and gratitude to those who supported her throughout her Miss Universe journey.

“Hey, guys! Thank you so much for your love and support. I truly, truly love you,” she said.

Celeste sending Love and thanks for all the support 💙 pic.twitter.com/DZ4z2zlzxs
— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) January 15, 2023

Celeste also continued to receive messages of support on social media after her early exit.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach joined them on Twitter.

“We know you gave it your all, Celeste. We are very proud of you,” Pia tweeted.

We know you gave it your all, Celeste. We are very proud of you 💙🇵🇭
— Pia Wurtzbach | yourhighness.eth (@PiaWurtzbach) January 15, 2023

Some online users, meanwhile, expressed concern for how Celeste was doing after such a loss.

One Twitter video claimed that Celeste was in tears as she was leaving the stage, along with other candidates who fell short of their Miss Universe bids.

🥺😭 Celeste crying on her way to the back of the stage, we know you deserved better. hugs 🫂 #MissUniverse2022 pic.twitter.com/r9oND4Q0dl
— Jean-Paul ✪ (@jpaulryes) January 15, 2023

Later, it seemed that the Philippine delegate is doing well after all.

A member of Celeste’s team named Elmo B posted a video that showed her relaxing in a hotel with the rest of them.

Celeste’s boyfriend Mathew Custodio was also there for her.

“No tears, just pizza,” the team member wrote in the text of the video.

This footage was shared by other pageant bloggers on social media.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by For The Philippines by Oyelle (@forthephilippines)

Filipino-American R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States of America won the crown that night, thus besting over 80 candidates in the competition.

READ: Who is Miss Universe 2022 Filipino-American Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel? | Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel eyes sewing workshop in Philippines

Through her social media posts, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray welcomed Gabriel among the “sisterhood” of Miss Universe titleholders.

“Welcome to the sisterhood, R’Bonney!” Catriona wrote in the text.

Screenshot of Catriona Gray’s welcome message to 2022 Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel (Instagram/Catriona Gray)

Amid the dismay of some Filipinos over Celeste’s loss, Voltaire Tayag, director of communications for the Miss Universe Philippines, told them to be “grateful” instead.

Tayag posted this via his Instagram Stories on January 15.

“Let us all be happy for the success of the Top 16! All the women have worked hard to be Miss Universe. They are all deserving,” Tayag said.

“Of course, it hurts but let’s keep the true spirit of the pageant alive. Miss Universe has been very kind to us for so many years. Let’s be grateful for those years and be optimistic for what’s to come,” he added.