Pia Wurtzbach on entering fashion week scene: 'I didn't want this to be a competition'

Pia Wurtzbach first attended fashion week events abroad in 2023. Wurtzbach/Instagram 

It's been nearly two years since Pia Wurtzbach entered the fashion week scene, slowly making her mark as a style influencer.

And while it's something that she has always wanted to do, the former Miss Universe reiterated that she never had the intention to compete with anyone.

"I didn't want this to be a competition," she said in an interview with Preview, which has tapped her to be its latest cover star. "No, I didn't want it to be." 

Wurtzbach, who made history in 2015 as the Philippines' third Miss Universe winner, pointed out that she no longer wants to be in "another" competition via fashion weeks.

She said all she wanted was to give it a shot: "I don't give up on something if I have a feeling that I can do it, even when everyone else is telling me to drop it. I don't let go [nor do I] back down."

"If I just see a glimpse of hope, I will latch onto it until all doors shut on me. If there's hope, I'll always feel like there's space for me," she added. 

Wurtzbach acknowledged that she was not born exposed to fashion, citing her humble background which meant only being able to afford essentials.

But as she gained her footing through pageantry, she felt it was time for her to take the leap -- even if it meant going back to square one. 

"I knew full well that walking in there was a challenge because, for years, I was used to not having to introduce myself. And then suddenly, [I am] somewhere new," she recalled.

"They don't know Miss Universe, and they probably don't care either, so [I was going to] have to introduce myself as who I was [at that moment]. Who am I outside of pageants? What am I doing here? How do I want to position myself? How do I want them to remember me?" 

For Wurtzbach, it was all about constantly reinventing herself, saying she does not want to stop learning. 

"Your pride [might stop you from] being an underdog again, but even the masters were once babies who knew nothing. It's uncomfortable, but it's forced me to grow," she said. 

While she did not mention any names, Wurtzbach has been constantly compared by fans with style icon Heart Evangelista, who has been a fixture in fashion week events abroad.

Many were also quick to point out that the Miss Universe 2015 titleholder hired Evangelista's ex-glam team after the latter's public falling out with the actress.  

Evangelista previously clarified that she "never had a problem" with Wurtzbach, only with the people she surrounds herself with. 

The actress went on to wish Wurtzbach "nothing but the best" and "good luck."

Heart Evangelista on Pia Wurtzbach: ‘I never had a problem with Pia’ 

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