Celeste Cortesi's angelic beauty shines during the evening gown segment of the Miss Universe 2022 preliminary competition in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The 25-year-old model wears a crystal-embellished sky-blue gown by Los Angeles-based Filipino fashion designer Oliver Tolentino.
The color of Celeste's gown is similar to the Val Taguba creation she wore during the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 pageant in April 2022.
In an Instagram post on May 7, 2022, Celeste revealed that the sky-blue color is a tribute to her late father.
Het caption, published as is: "'CELESTE' in italian means heavenly, sky blue.
"My dad would always tell me the wonderful story on how he chose to name me Celeste. [star emoji]
"After I was born, while he was holding me in his arms, he looked at the sky [night sky emoji] then he immediately knew my name would be Celeste.
"Celeste is the color I wanted to wear on the final night, in honor of my dad. In every step on that stage I would feel his presence right beside me, my guardian angel [blue heart emoji]."
The Miss Universe 2022 pageant's Top 16 candidates, to be selected by the panel of judges and via fan votes, will move forward to the semi-finals.
The pageant's selection committee includes Filipino businesswoman Olivia Quido-Co, Big Freedia, Emily Austin, Swena Patel, Myrka Dellanos, Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarrete, and Miss Universe 1999 Wendy Fitzwilliam.
Meanwhile, Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan, Kathleen Ventrella, and Mara Martin are also part of the preliminary selection committee.
Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu of India will crown her successor at the Miss Universe 2022 grand coronation night happening this January 14, 2023, (January 15, PH time) at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.
READ MORE:
- Celeste Cortesi, may sagot na sa tanong kung bakit siya ang dapat maging next Miss Universe
- Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi names Pia Wurtzbach as her "ultimate favorite" beauty queen
- Rabiya Mateo, Beatrice Luigi Gomez, Celeste Cortesi are Disney Princesses in latest shoot
- Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi pays homage to her mom