After Miss Universe, Celeste Cortesi says creating beauty brand pulled her from a 'dark place'

Celeste Cortesi said that launching her beauty brand, Asul, helped lift her spirits after her Miss Universe stint.

During the brand’s retail debut at Beauty Bar in Bonifacio Global City, the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 titleholder said Asul pulled her out of a “dark place.”

“After Miss Universe, it was kind of a way for me to get out of a very dark and depressing place, so Asul is very, very close to my heart,” she said in her speech.

“And to see it finally in retail just really makes me happy,” she added.

In a 2023 episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," Celeste opened up about coping with the pain of her early exit from the Miss Universe pageant.

"Of course, I went through a very difficult time, but I know in my heart that the respect, love, and support that I gained from the Filipino fans [are] really more valuable than the Miss Universe crown," she said.

In April, Celeste announced her pregnancy and a month later, she showed off her baby bump at the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night.

Celeste launched Asul in 2024. It offers several makeup products, including peptide lip balm, lip liners, and blush. It’s available in select Beauty Bar stores.

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— LA, GMA News