It’s not all makeup and gowns. It’s pressure, training, and being judged every step of the way.
If you’ve ever wondered why beauty pageants still matter in the Philippines, A Queen’s Runway might have the answer. The new documentary—now streaming on Netflix—takes viewers behind the scenes of Miss Universe Philippines 2024, showing what really happens before the lights, applause, and perfect smiles.
It’s not a fairytale. It’s months of non-stop training, interviews, pressure, and tears. And for many of these women, it’s more than a title. It’s a shot at changing their lives.
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The documentary features several familiar names in the Philippine pageant circuit: Chelsea Manalo, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, and Christi McGarry. Chelsea, who won Miss Universe Philippines 2024, didn’t place in the global finals but still made history as the first Miss Universe Asia and Best in National Costume winner. Their stories give a closer look at the work, pressure, and expectations that come with aiming for the crown.
This isn’t new. The Philippines has always taken pageants seriously, it’s almost like a sport. Crowns are treated like national pride. When someone wins, it feels like the whole country wins too.
Since the 1960s, the Philippines has produced four Miss Universe winners: Gloria Diaz (1969) was the first, and she later became an actress and a household name. Margie Moran (1973) focused on cultural work and even ran a dance company. Pia Wurtzbach (2015) became famous for the now-iconic mix-up during her crowning moment. Catriona Gray (2018) was known for her “lava walk” and brought home the crown with a clear advocacy for education.
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Each win came with its own moment in history. Each queen became a symbol of what the Filipina woman was at the time. The documentary captures that weight. You see the rehearsals. The breakdowns. The competition. But also the quiet parts, girls helping each other backstage, moments of doubt, and the strength it takes to keep going.
The film was directed by Belgian filmmaker Tom Sys. He said in an interview that he was inspired by sports shows like Drive to Survive while making the documentary. “Pageantry is often misunderstood, reduced to glitz and glamour, but at its core, it is an art form, one that demands dedication, sacrifice, and an unbreakable spirit.” His goal was clear: to show that pageants are not just about looking good. They take hard work, discipline, and mental strength.
It’s not all makeup and gowns. It’s pressure, training, and being judged every step of the way.
A Queen’s Runway is now streaming on Netflix.
