Pia Wurtzbach reveals seeking therapist during Miss Universe reign
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“I went to therapy session every week to just be able to talk it out with somebody,” says Pia Wurtzbach, as she revealed in an interview with Miss Universe Canada 2016 Siera Bearchell.
Actress-beauty queen Pia Wurtzbach has recently revealed in an interview that she attended therapy sessions during her reign as Miss Universe 2015.
This is what she told Miss Universe Canada 2016 Siera Bearchell, who featured Pia in a segment of her YouTube channel called “Candid Convo.”
In the video, uploaded on February 5, Pia candidly spoke about winning the crown and reiterated that the victory was not of herself but the country's.
She told Siera, “It was more than a personal victory. I felt like it was a victory for the whole Philippines 'cause back home, it's really a big deal.
"Before I competed, the Philippines has always been placing in the Top 10 or the runner-up positions, so the pressure was on every year.
“I felt like I wasn't doing it for myself. I was doing it for everyone or people who were cheering me on. It did feel like I was really carrying the whole Philippines with me because when I was wearing that sash, it said 'Philippines.' It didn't say 'Pia.'
“I felt like I've got to represent, and I've got to make everybody proud, so there was a lot of pressure.”
Pia added, “It also felt good when all of the hard work paid off in the end.
"It's such a nice feeling hearing your fellow countrymen cheering you on. It's such a nice feeling seeing them waving the flag and knowing that that's you.
“They all believe in me and then that I can do it. It's really a nice feeling.”
Now having to deal with the pressures of the crown and experiencing homesickness despite being able to visit the Philippines on several occasions, the former beauty queen then started seeking a therapist to ease her anxiety.
“Not a lot of people know this, but I actually went to therapy sessions every week just to be able to talk it out with somebody,” she revealed.
“This is different. Suddenly, your life changed overnight, and I needed time to absorb everything that's going on and really make sure that I'm okay and I don't get overwhelmed and suddenly make mistakes along the way.”
The 31-year-old continued, “It was my first time in New York.
“I've never been to New York. Imagine, like when I saw Times Square for the first time, we only see it on TV and in movies! I was living near Times Square, within walking distance.
“You get homesick. You can't avoid that. You miss your family, you think about them, you think about the people back home.
“It was fun but kind of an adjustment also.”
Furthermore, she also opened up about being criticized for focusing on her love life than her duties as the face of the Miss Universe Organization.
Pia confessed in the 44-minute video, “I also had a boyfriend at the time, and people back home didn't really approve of that idea because they felt like, 'You're Miss Universe, you should be focusing on your reign, and you shouldn't have time for your love life.'
“That affected me. That really hurt me. I was hard on myself, and I was putting some people down. It was really me versus me.”
Regardless of her circumstances, Pia thanked the Miss Universe Organization for helping her during her reign.
“Miss Universe really took care of me, and I had somebody to talk to every week who just understood because that's what they do.”
Watch her interview with Siera in the video below:
Pia Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe 2015 and is the third Filipina to win the title, following Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran.
She was later succeeded by Catriona Gray in 2018.
Meanwhile, here are other local celebrities who opened up about their mental health condition:
