Miss Universe 2015 defended Binibining Pilipinas finalist Vickie Rushton after the latter failed to win a crown during the said pageant.
Rushton bagged six out of the 13 special awards, but her answer about mental health during the Q&A round might have cost her the crown, reports said.
Rushton has said in a post-pageant interview that she was distracted by an audience.
“Nasayangan ako. I know kung ano ang sasabihin ko, pero may nag-distract sa akin sa audience. May tumayo at nag-make face,” she said in an interview with “Umagang Kay Ganda”.
However, that did not stop some underwhelmed fans from getting disappointed with her loss with some calling her “sayang” and “overrated.”
After the pageant, Wurtzbach, who is a self-proclaimed pageant fan, said she felt sad for Rushton.
“My heart also breaks for Vickie. I hope she can try again,” she said in her Instagram Story.
She also defended Rushton from bashers, saying that she is smart and nerves just got her.
“Nerves can happen to even the best of us. It’s not easy to compete. Keep your chin up, Vickie,” she added.
Just like Wurtzbach, many netizens are encouraging Rushton to join again next year. However, it is not certain if she will still be allowed to compete since she is already 27 years old and the age limit for the competition is only 26.
Aside from Rushton, Wurtzbach also left a message for candidate Hannah Arnold from Masbate who was also not able to win a crown.
“Please try again! You were stunning tonight. Consider this as practice na lang for something bigger,” she told Arnold.
Nevertheless, Wurtzbach said she is happy with the results of the pageant.
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Cebuana model Gazini Gadanos was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019 during the event.
