Aside from being part of the lead cast of 9Works Theatrical’s upcoming new musical RENT, singer and actor Markki Stroem said he is extra excited this year as he makes his pageant debut as the country’s representative to the Mr. Universe 2024 competition to be held in Hollywood, California in September. The 37-year-old actor shared his preparations with PUSH in between rehearsals for RENT which starts its run on April 19 at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City. 

“When I found out about the pageant last year, I was appointed. I got a message from the people in the States because they saw me host Love Yourself's Love Gala with Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray. I guess I spoke so eloquently about HIV and my advocacy for it that it reached the States I guess. And they asked me if I wanted to compete. I’ve never competed in a pageant in my life before so I said, ‘You know what? You’re only young once so take it!’ So I decided I would come and represent the Philippines this time around and see what I can do in the pageant scene.

"I have multiple contacts in the fashion world, in radio as a speaker, so in terms of question and answer, here we go (laughs). And then I’m also well built, I’ve been working out for years. I was a model for a while. I guess my entire career has built me up for this which I’m happy about. Because normally, people join pageants without doing anything and now with this wealth of experience in all fields in entertainment, I can come in as prepared as ever to represent our lovely country,” he said. 

READ: Markki Stroem on identifying as demisexual: ‘I'm halfway between being sexual and asexual’

In terms of preparations, Markki said keeping fit all these years is really paying off because it gives him time to focus on the other details of pageantry like who will style his suits on top of his daily workouts.

“Now I just have to keep maintaining because I’m doing this production and then I’m doing another production right after this one which I can’t talk about yet. So that’s going to be tough because I’ve never gone straight from one production to the next. So while still performing for RENT, I would be rehearsing na for that. I will be playing multiple characters in that one as well. And then I go straight to Mr. Universe in Hollywood. But I’ve already talked to fashion designers and they’re already creating my outfits like Francis Libiran and Mark Bumgarner.

"I’m just speaking to some of my favorites and some of my really good friends in the industry who have created some of the finest gowns of Ms. Universe and some male pageants as well and I want to see how far I can get over there, whatever happens. I’ve never joined a pageant in my life. I’ve hosted multiple ones, I’ve supplied swimwear for multiple ones, I have judged multiple. I have spoken for multiple candidates, but I have never actually take part in one,” he admitted. 

READ: Markki Stroem describes new BL series ‘Love At The End of the World’ as ‘a rollercoaster ride full of laughter and pain’

When it comes to other portions of the pageant like the talent and question and answer portion, Markki said he will make more preparations nearer to the pageant date, but admitted that his daily practice as a host of one of the country’s longest running morning radio shows has given him the confidence to answer questions on the fly.

“Who knows? I also fire dance. We’ll see. I used to be a poi dancer when I was younger. So when I do weddings in Boracay, for example, I would jam with the fire dancers. So who knows, I might do that, I might sing. I don’t know yet what talent I’ll do as it draws nearer. Actually, I’m just taking it one day at a time,” he added.  

Apart from accepting multiple roles in RENT as well as other upcoming projects, Markki said he is just enjoying the unexpected adventures that this year has brought him.

“I’m quite excited. it’s something new. I always try to do something new every year. Whatever happens, at least I represented and when I go I’ll see some of the producers of Sound of Music last year. They told me to find my way to the States and who knows. So let’s see what happens.

"I already have a couple of friends there that could help me out. Who knows? You have to try and open your mind and you always have to think past what you're comfortable with. Always find something that makes you scared so that you will grow more. Because if you’re always comfortable, you’ll always stay comfortable. Find something new, something to make you feel like you’re alive,” he shared. 

Watch Markki in Jonathan Larsen’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical RENT starting April 19. Directed by Robbie Guevarra by 9Works Theatrical.