Chelsea Manalo biography: 13 things about Miss Universe 2024

Chelsea Anne Manalo is a Filipino-American model and beauty queen from Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines. She is the first ever black Miss Universe Philippines and an alumna of the De La Salle Araneta University in Malabon, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Chelsea Manalo’s profile

Manalo was born in the Philippines to a black American father and her Filipino mother Contessa Manalo, who divorced in 2002. After the divorce, Contessa married Randy Castro Angeles, who raised Chelsea as his own daughter.

When Chelsea was young, she was bullied for her skin color and her hair type. In high school, she started competing in beauty pageants.

As an adult, Chelsea promotes body positivity. She also advocates for the welfare of the Dumagat people of Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Before becoming Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Chelsea pursued a bachelor’s degree while working as a print, ramp and commercial model. She worked with designers Mark Bumgarner and Job Dacon and several publishing companies including Mega Magazine and Preview.

One of Chelsea’s comfort foods is ice cream. She has a shih tzu, a basset hound, pomchi dogs and love birds.

Chelsea is 5’8″ tall. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. From 2010 to 2011, she attended grade school in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States where she met her biological father and bonded with him.
2. In 2014, she started modeling professionally.
3. On March 14, 2015, she was in Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines. On June 18, 2015, she was in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
4. From August 12-13, 2017, she was featured as a model in a bridal exhibit and fashion show in Malolos, Bulacan. On August 25, 2017, she visited Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines for the first time.
5. On September 3, 2017, she competed against 34 other Miss World Philippines 2017 candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She finished in the Top 15.
6. On January 14, 2019, she was in Baler, Aurora, Philippines. On April 26, 2019, she had a photo shoot on top of a tall building in Makati, Metro Manila. On May 30, 2019, she was in Dinalongan, Aurora.
7. In August 2019, she joined Kids for Kids, a youth-led organization that aims to create a safe space for children, as a volunteer.
8. In April 2021, she became a Bench endorser.
9. On February 17, 2022, she received a certificate of academic excellence from the De La Salle Araneta University. On August 26, 2022, she graduated from the university with a bachelor’s degree in tourism.
10. On October 14, 2023, she turned 24. On November 21, 2023, she was in Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines.
11. On February 17, 2024, she was officially appointed Miss Universe Bulacan 2024.
12. On May 22, 2024, she represented Bulacan at Miss Universe Philippines 2024, competed against 52 other candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and won the title. Her mother and her stepfather attended the coronation ceremony.
13. In September 2024, she will represent the Philippines at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico.