LOOKIN’ GOOD FEELIN’ FINE It feels so good to be a woman with these fashion choices
“THAT’S
WHY I DON’T STOP WORKING, BECAUSE I’M LOOKING FOR OTHER SUCCESSES THAT I CAN ACHIEVE THAT ARE OR COULD BE AS BIG AS MISS UNIVERSE GOAL GETTER Pia has always been known to never give up on her dreams. After taking the Miss Universe crown, Pia continues to soar
in this world who lived and never really made a mark. I want to be remembered. What makes me happy is when somebody comes up to me and says, ‘you know, you really inspired and thank you for changing my life.’ Those are the comments that I really love, because I don’t know them, but they know my story and somehow I connected with them. This is why I do what I do. That gives me purpose.”
It’s not often that a woman, especially one in the spotlight often and who’s initial claim to fame—winning a beauty pageant—expressly tells people about their naked ambition. Legacy, to be remembered, to leave an indelible mark—that’s something guys would often say, regardless of their status in life. But a woman? Even one as accomplished and lauded as Pia Wurtzbach will often take a demure side step.
But these are modern times and when the latest Miss Universe is calling for females to take up space, it’s time to let those old fashioned ideals go the way of the dodo. For someone whose voice is often heard, sharply and audibly, it’s refreshing to hear her say that it’s not enough.
“I don’t think I’ve taken up enough space. No, no, no. I don’t think so!” says Pia with a laugh.
“Yeah, I won Miss Universe, but what else is there? That’s a question I always ask myself. I keep challenging myself in that way. Miss Universe was a big achievement, and it is a big deal, and it changed my life and I’m so grateful for it. But I don’t want that to be the pride or the peak of my life. There are other things out there that I can pursue. That’s why I don’t stop working, because I’m looking for other successes that I can achieve that are or could be as big as Miss Universe.”
And that, ladies and gents, is something that every little girl needs to hear. THANK YOU, NEXT
Business is where Pia’s mind’s at these days. She’s interested in doing more longterm, behind-the-scenes endeavors that will make use of her other prodigious skills. Ever the beauty girl, taking her interests in makeup and skincare are in her agenda. Her recent lipstick collaboration with local brand Téviant was well received, something that Pia is particularly proud of, largely because it was about women empowerment. “I really see myself working in that space. We are actually working on something new for this year and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. Hopefully I can take on a bigger role in Téviant,” she says. Her long established partnership with global brand Olay is also something close to her heart. Since her teens, Pia has already set a strict skincare routine, one that she has carried over with her to this day, albeit with changes to suit her changing needs.
“If there’s one thing that I never break, it’s that promise to take care of my skin. I started early and I take skincare very seriously.” “Never breakup with your skincare ladies!” She says with a laugh. Speaking of breakups, Pia endured a very public one just last year. True to form, she took it as a challenge and went about her life, focusing on work and learning form the experience. And of course, because life is funny that way, romance came knocking quickly.When we bring it up, it’s the only time Pia blushes.
“I’ve never talked about this before,” she admits. Just as we were going to express how happy we were for her, she takes it down an unexpected path.
“I’m happy, I’m inspired, I feel very empowered. I feel like I can be myself and I don’t have to water myself down. I can be my full self. I can be my full Pia, 100% empowered Pia, fight mode all the time; I can be the alpha that I am, all the time. I don’t have to filter myself for anyone anymore.” And with that, everyone starts whooping—Pia included. The universe, it seems, is not enough.