At 3:05 a.m. Monday, January 30, Facebook user Aen Macapagal shared a video of Miss Netherlands 2016 Zoey Ivory dancing to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" as the beauty queen waited on stage with her fellow candidates during rehearsals of Miss Universe 2016.
As of 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31, the video has been viewed over 16 million times and has been shared 269,374 times.
There's no doubt Zoey is the latest internet sensation in the Philippines. Cosmo.ph got in touch with her and asked her a few fun questions.
Cosmo: How do you feel about the video of yourself going viral?
Zoey: I feel so surprised. I never thought this would happen. I was just being myself. I'm really overwhelmed with all the amazing comments and responses I'm getting on social media! There are sooooo many!
Cosmo: Why were you dancing? What prompted you to do it?
Zoey: Well, we were just standing there waiting to begin (rehearsing) again. The organization said we could relax during commercial breaks. My family was sitting directly in front of me and they made me feel at home. So, when I heard Beyoncé, I actually did what I always do without thinking—dance! And I started off with dancing a little bit for myself, because I just couldn't stand still. But when people started cheering I had to make it a little bigger at the end.
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Cosmo: Are you really a trained dancer? Are you a fan of Beyoncé?
Zoey: I've been dancing since I was 4 and I always loved to perform. At the age of 10, I auditioned for a big professional Performing Arts school and I got in! So I didn't follow a regular education, my high school was combined with different types of dancing, acting, and also singing. In the mornings I started off with some regular classes and in the afternoon I had to walk to the other building to start my dancing until late in the evening. That's also why I'm a big fan of Queen B. She mixes dancing, singing, and acting all together. For me she's the perfect example of an all-round artist and performer.
Cosmo: Are you going to make more dancing videos?
Zoey: I really want to! I love dancing and I love social media. So why not put them all together if the people like it? First, I'm heading back to Amsterdam tonight (Tuesday, January 31). Just keep following me and you'll be the first to be up to date! Instagram: @missnederland2016 Facebook: Miss Universe Netherlands. #itsmorefuninthephilippines (It really is!)
Asked for a farewell message to her new fans, Zoey said, "Thanks everyone for all the sweet messages and love I'm still getting! My time in the Philippines was indescribable and I will find it hard to leave you all. I did not win the crown but hopefully I won your hearts. I can't thank you enough! Keep loving yourself! I love you, my favorite Filipina Cosmo Girls!"
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Special thanks to Myrza Sison and Kim Kötter.