Pia Wurtzbach Redefines Beauty, Confidence, And Perfection: This Is What Owning Your Power Looks Like

It's shoot day for our August cover and Pia Wurtzbach is bringing her raw, undeniable power to the set. She's not just gracing our cover—she's *owning* it. We walk into the studio and find an intimate setting, enough for just a handful of people to squeeze in. A stark bubblegum-pink box serves as the backdrop. Moments later, Pia glides in. Her sleek black dress clings to her form, and her eyes flicker with a fire that commands attention. Up close and personal, the lioness-like yet ethereal Pia is a vision of statuesque regality.

Forget what you *think* you know about Pia. The beauty queen with the big smile who won over our hearts—and the Miss U crown—in 2015 has evolved. In her place is a woman who has shed the limitations of expectations and embraced a world of limitless possibility. Allow us to reintroduce Pia Wurtzbach.

"When I was younger, I thought winning Miss Universe would be my end-all, be-all. I thought it would solve everything. But that new chapter, as proud and grateful as I am, forced me to confront unresolved issues within myself," Pia shares. "Now, confidence for me means loving and believing in yourself regardless if you’re on top or at rock bottom. And beauty is the deliberate choice to see the good in every situation,” Pia tells us.

The shoot begins. Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and Beyonce's fierce anthems blare in the background as Pia strikes pose after pose. Her professionalism is palpable. She collaborates with photographer BJ Pascual and the team as she takes suggestions, offers ideas, and contorts her body into unexpected poses, owning the camera with her fierce gaze. She exudes the confidence of a seasoned businesswoman but with the humility of someone who values hard work.

The Real And Relatable Pia

But Pia is still human. After a few hours posing in sharp, sky-high stilettos, she requests a quick break to rest her feet, revealing the person beneath all the glam. Here's when another side of Pia emerges. Her intense focus melts away, replaced by warm smiles and lighthearted conversations with the team. She chats about fitness and random musings. There's no air of superiority—just a friendliness that makes her instantly likeable.

It's in these moments when you catch a glimpse of the "real Pia." Underneath all the layers, she's a person who adores cats and loves video games. Sometimes, she grapples with relatable insecurities: the fear of a bad hair day, if she looks good in her outfit, and the ever-present question of being perceived as "weird." When asked if there was one thing she wished people knew about her, she shares: "I'm as normal as normal can get…I am literally just like you."

"When I get bad days, one thing I do is to stay with the feeling. I don’t try to solve it right away. I let myself be sad, hurt, or [feel] whatever feeling I have. Then, I do grounding activities," Pia shares. "I think we've always been taught to stay positive all the time when in reality, the key is to not be afraid of facing complex emotions. Gratitude is something I’m big on as well. When things get rough, I remind myself that this is something I once prayed for."

Pia also values self-care and healthy habits, especially the basics, "which are the most important, by the way," she says. Eating right, drinking enough water, taking time for body care and hair care, and getting enough sleep are Pia’s secrets to lasting confidence. They're also how she prepared for today's shoot.

A quick break was all Pia needed. A couple of minutes in, she springs back into action, serving fierce poses with intense determination.

Finding Her Voice And Redefining Beauty

The crown, while a glorious achievement, also came with expectations that could have stifled Pia's true potential.

"I feel I speak for most beauty queens when I say this—some people think pageantry is just about gowns, heels, and makeup. Many of us are put in that box even years after we’ve gone into other things."

But Pia refused to be confined. "It was challenging, but I had a vision and many dreams. And when it got noisy, I focused on my 'why.' I really love this saying: 'One who has a 'why' to live for can endure almost any 'how.'"

Pia yearned for growth—which is what fueled her to break free from stereotypes. After becoming Miss Universe 2015, Pia didn't stop chasing opportunities. She wrote and published a fiction book, Queen of the Universe. She actively advocated for the LGBTQ+ community locally and internationally and joined UNAIDS in its fight against HIV/AIDS. She also spoke at TEDX, delivering a talk about mental health and recovery, titled "You Are Not Alone."

Winning Miss Universe opened doors for Pia—but her grit, hard work, and steely resolve transformed her from a pageant queen to a dynamic, multifaceted woman with limitless possibilities.

Living a Limitless Life

In the studio, BJ and the team shout, "Nice! Ganda!" as Pia fearlessly works the camera. Creative energy flows between her and BJ as the photographer directs and Pia adds her spin, producing endless magic.

Outside the shoot, Pia is focused on building a "limitless life," where she "thrives not just in one aspect, but in every single one—personal, career, family, business, and so on." Her key to achieving this? Taking good care of her physical, mental, and emotional health—something Pia learned from her year as Miss Universe and the days after.

"One of the things I had to learn the hard way is that every endeavor, big or small, really starts with taking good care of yourself. That’s the simple answer to it. I strive to achieve every goal on my list by taking care of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally," she shares.

Her newest adventure is a flourishing career in fashion, which she reveals has been a longtime dream. "Not long ago, I was told I couldn't do it. I was too this, too that. But it was a dream I've always had, so I made every opportunity that went my way count."

She opens up, "I also faced my inner saboteur. My biggest lesson and challenge was allowing good things to finally happen. When they come knocking, open that door wide open and own it."

Helping her feel more confident and limitless as she explores the world of fashion is Cream Silk Triple Keratin Ultimate Straight. "I like pulling off different looks every single time, and I think my outfit is complete when I have a great hairstyle complementing the whole look. Cream Silk Triple Keratin Ultimate Straight gives me the confidence to slay each time. I feel great and ready to take the world by storm."

Defying Limitations And Owning Her Power

Two hours and over a hundred fierce poses later, Pia's photoshoot wraps. A smiling Pia thanks the team, and then goes to her dressing room to prepare for another shoot.

Since winning Miss Universe in 2015, Pia has continued to scale every mountain and reach greater heights—even joining the most recent Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks and Cannes Film Festival 2024. Not one to be boxed, Pia defies expectations and limitations, constantly perfecting herself.
This is the new Pia—a woman who has earned her stripes (big time!) and commands respect, but disarms you with her groundedness. She’s professional, hardworking, and refreshingly humble. No diva attitude—just the quiet confidence of a limitless woman who knows her worth and braves the challenges thrown her way to achieve her many dreams.

To her 2015 self, she has this to say: "Pia, it's not what they call you. It's what you answer to. I know it's hard to believe but trust me, you will find your way and you will go places by choosing to be your most authentic self. Grow and evolve but don't change who you are. Be exactly as you are—so that the people and opportunities meant for you can find you."

She teases us with what to expect from her in the near future. "I don’t want to jinx anything and I just really want to enjoy where I’m at right now. But best believe, you'll be seeing more of me in fashion!" Pia says and winks. For now, we might be craning our necks to see which peak she'll choose to conquer next, but Pia Wurtzbach's journey is also a reminder that your *own* limitless possibilities are waiting to be explored. So, take a deep breath, embrace your true self, and chase those dreams—the world awaits the magic you have to offer.

Learn more about Cream Silk Triple Keratin Ultimate Straight by visiting Cream Silk’s website and following Cream Silk on Facebook.

Photographer: BJ Pascual (@bjpascual)
Creative Director: Kat Tapang (@kattpower)
Production Manager: Mary Joyce Lapasaran (@_joycelapasaran)
Art Director: Bea Malonzo (@biyaaa)
Content Producer: Jamie Sanchez (@jamiexs)
Hairstylist: Jeck Aguilar (@aguilarjeck)
Makeup Artist: Justin Louise Soriano (@justinlouisesoriano)
Stylist: Perry Tabora (@perrytabora)
Wardrobe: La Glamour Queen (@laglamourqueen)
Product Photography: JV Rabano (@jvrabano)
Writer: Regina Abellar (@regisbusyrightnow)
Social Media: Nicole Gueco (@nicolegueco) Fenichi Joy Lozada (@madamfen) Alfred Ramos (@alfred_nr)
Video: Monet Landayan (@monetlandayan) & Jino Del Mundo (@jinooftheworld)
Set Design: Adset Prod (@adsetprod)