Mariel de Leon: 'I don't like being called a beauty queen...I've closed that chapter in my life'

Mariel de Leon, who represented the country in the Miss International 2017 pageant, took to Instagram Stories Wednesday to say she doesn’t like being called a beauty queen anymore.

“I’d appreciate it if you guys could stop tagging me in pageant posts (especially if it doesn’t involve me). I don’t like being called a beauty queen,” Mariel straightforwardly began her two-part post.

Screengrab: Mariel de Leon/Instagram Stories

The daughter of Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong clarified that while she was thankful for her past pageant journey, “she’s already closed that chapter in my life.”

In the second part of her post, Mariel said she does not want to surround herself “with toxic, negative, and fake people anymore. I like having a simple, quiet, and private life.”

Read her entire post below:

I’d appreciate it if you guys could stop tagging me in pageant posts (especially if it doesn’t involve me). I don’t like being called a ‘beauty queen’. It means nothing to me. Women are not whatever ‘title’ society chooses to ‘name’ us. Women are so much more than that.

Yes, I am thankful for my past pageant journey because I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I’ve had if I didn’t win Bb. Pilipinas International. But I’ve closed that chapter in my life. I’m not the type to care about titles, positions, crowns, or names. None of that matter to me. What matters to me is me, my family, dogs, art, and classical music.

I do not want to surround myself with toxic, negative, and fake people anymore. I like having a simple, quiet and private life – unless I post something on my social media. It is mine. I choose what to show you. You do not see everything in my life. I control what you see.

It’s good to reflect on your life and open your eyes and hearts to the things that should actually matter. See ya.

— LA, GMA News