Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo has come full circle, transitioning from a beauty pageant contestant to one of the judges for It’s Showtime's Sexy Babe segment.

During an interview at the recently concluded Miss Universe Philippines - Quezon City pageant at SM North Sky Dome, the beauty queen shared how much she enjoys being a judge.

“In (It’s) Showtime, kasi it’s really different from what it usually is in national pageants or other pageants. It’s all about the personality, and I’m enjoying that so much. We’re always told naman na these are all walks of life. Also, there are girls there who are 18 years old, who are breadwinners,” Chelsea shared.

The beauty queen said that more than winning, it’s more important for the girls to share their journey.

“Of course, since I’ve already been there, you know how beauty pageants are. I already know what they really want. It’s not just about winning Sexy Babe or winning a title; it’s about really saying their story to the people there,” she explained.

For Chelsea, it’s important to embrace your truth and understand that making mistakes during the competition is okay.

“It’s already enough for me to know na totoo naman sila sa sinasabi nila, sa gusto nila. They have what it is that they really want to fight for. That’s already enough for the judges to really impress us. It’s not just you standing on the stage na kailangan perfect ka, because that’s really hard to always look like you’re perfect on stage. Sometimes there can be a downfall, but you just have to enjoy it,” Chelsea added.

She also shared that aside from judging, she enjoys getting along with the hosts and the contestants.

“So I’ve been a hurado for It’s Showtime for a while, and I laugh at it because I’m enjoying the stories. Nakakatuwa yung mga hosts there; I get along with them. Sometimes, if we have some free time, I can go backstage and talk to the girls,” she shared.

She went on to say that she always makes time to give them advice: "I give them a little tip to always smile, to enjoy, and to always look at the hosts. It’s important that you’re looking around and not appearing too stiff. But yeah, it’s fun."

Now that she’s regularly seen on television, the beauty queen shared that she’s open to taking on more projects, especially those that can positively influence women.

“I think I really love also being in the public eye as long as I can influence women who look just like me, hindi lang in pageantry. You know, if they can make it to do acting or singing, then these are the qualities that I want to do. I’m open naman to all kinds of projects,” Chelsea shared.

—By Jemuel Tandoc