Life as Miss Universe II

My experience at the international pageant

This is the second part of my personal journey as Miss Universe, sharing my experience at the international competition..

My travel date was January 13, which is my name day in Hungary. Leaving for the Philippines on that day felt like the greatest gift I could have received.

The journey to Manila was long, around 18 to 20 hours with one stop, and it was my first time flying with Emirates. The experience left a lasting impression on me. I was upgraded to Business Class, the staff helped me with my heavy luggage, and their kindness and professionalism were exceptional. On such a long and emotional journey, this care meant more than words can express.

I was extremely nervous and stayed awake the entire flight, learning and memorizing my texts.

When I arrived in the Philippines, I immediately felt welcomed. We were asked to give a short interview right after landing. By that time, I had been awake for more than 30 hours. Standing in front of cameras and people while exhausted was overwhelming, yet the atmosphere was warm and supportive. The people were friendly, open, and kind, and I was amazed by the beauty of the country and the genuine hospitality.

With: Miss Universe France

I arrived at the hotel in the evening and went straight to my room to rest. The next day began early, and despite having only a few hours of sleep, we were scheduled to record a short video. I didn’t even make it to breakfast. I felt anxious and unprepared, and while I was disappointed, I understood that organizing a competition of this scale comes with intense scheduling, and I needed to adapt.

We stayed at the Conrad Hotel Manila, which offered a wonderful experience. The staff were attentive and kind, the rooms spacious and comfortable, and the facilities, restaurants, pool, and fitness center - were excellent. The food, culture, and overall atmosphere made the stay memorable.

I was selected to be part of a group of girls that traveled almost daily, visiting different cities and participating in charity events. Some flights took place in the middle of the night, which further intensified the lack of rest.

Sharing a room with my assigned roommate was challenging and unpleasant experience. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to change rooms for security reasons despite explaining my situation to the management. During such an intense period, I needed calm and quiet to maintain my daily practices, meditation and gratitude journaling, which helped me stay centered. The stress eventually showed on my skin, but I did my best to remain focused and present.

I was just focusing my attention on being my best and being able to enjoy this beautiful experience. The competition days flew by so quickly. I visited Cebu, Davao city too which memory will stay in my heart forever. The kindness and love from the Pihilippines were so great and pure. They are the sweetest people. The people were so positive and happy, even though they had so little. I learned a lot from my trip, and it will stay with me forever.

With my friend Miss Universe Germany, Johanna Acs

with whom we stayed in contact even after the competition. She was super nice.

Throughout the competition, we attended daily events including press conferences, cultural programs, interviews, and photoshoots. The photoshoots were among the most demanding yet enjoyable parts, requiring confidence, adaptability, and presence at all times. From swimwear to evening gowns, each moment was a lesson in self-expression.

The days leading up to the finals were filled with rehearsals—perfecting walks, poses, turns, and stage presence. On the night of the finals, I felt both nervous and excited. As I stepped onto the stage, I could feel the energy of the audience surrounding me.

National custom: Mero Peter

During the national costume I was proud to wear a gown designed by Hungarian designer Mérő Péter, and on the and preliminary competitions I was wearing my dream dress which was based on my own concept and drawing and designed also by Mérő Péter.

Seeing my vision come to life was deeply meaningful:

The show was really fun I loved it and I had a wonderful person there supporting me Andrea Soock. She come to help me as a translator but her presence meant to me a lot. She was very supportive and encouraging. In between the practices, she was always there for me when I needed and cheered me on when I was feeling low. Her support gave me a great boost of energy. She had a positive attitude and always looked for ways to help me. I am very thankful for her and I would not have enjoyed the show as much without her.

After returning home, my body completely shut down. I slept for nearly 16 hours a day. I remember keeping an energy drink next to my bed just to be able to wake up, usually late in the afternoon. I was physically and emotionally exhausted.

I experienced a period of deep sadness and withdrawal. Reading negative and untrue comments was painful, especially after giving everything I had to represent my country. With time, I understood how essential it is to build a strong relationship with oneself, to not depend on external validation or criticism.

People reflect what they carry within. Those filled with love respond with kindness; those carrying pain project it outward. This realization helped me soften, accept, and return to compassion.

Soon after, I went on a trip I had won, bringing my sister with me. We traveled to Miami and the Bahamas, allowing ourselves to rest, explore, and simply enjoy life again. We created beautiful memories that helped restore balance and joy.

Every experience carries both light and shadow. What truly matters is cultivating a loving, respectful relationship with ourselves. When we honor our bodies, time, and inner harmony, we can move through any experience with grace.

This journey opened my eyes to how much self-love I still needed to develop. In the years that followed, I devoted myself to healing and inner work.

Today, I look back on this chapter with gratitude and compassion.

I am thankful for this adventure, it shaped me, strengthened me, and guided me toward the woman I have become.