Megan Young: World-Class Wonder

It’s not hard to remember the moment that Megan Young was crowned Miss World four years ago in Bali, Indonesia. It took the country by storm, and almost every social media platform was blowing up with mentions and hashtags of her win. Of course, it’s quite an impression to hold the title of “first ever Filipina to win Miss World,” and Megan proved to be a worthy candidate of representing not just our country, but the Miss World brand and its many advocacies.

Overnight, she wasn’t just ours to have and be boasted around anymore, but she was the world’s. And with her beauty, backed up by her selflessness, determination, and giant heart, it was nice for me to have seen a side of Megan’s that the public eye isn’t normally accustomed to seeing—sitting in the car while stuck in traffic, her face free of makeup save for mascara and lipstick, and chatting comfortably about what she’s up to these days (including where she loves dining with Mikael Daez!).

In this week’s cover story, and as another Ode to Beauty where Megan easily channels the regal ways of Kate Middleton in her simple and sophisticated look, read on as a world-class wonder like Megan tells us what happens right after the glamorous side of the Miss World pageant, her life-changing experiences during her reign, and recently signing with a US-based talent agency.

If you were to choose between acting and modelling, which one would you pick
and why?

I think I’d go with acting. I know I’m probably not the best actor in the world, but you know, I enjoy doing it, and I’m trying to learn every day that I’m there. It’s something so new and so challenging for me, that I actually enjoy the challenge. With modelling, I’m not really a model but I enjoy it more. So it just feels like I’m playing a game. For this one (acting), I feel like I’m in school and I’m really challenging myself to strive harder.

You mentioned in an interview with Esquire that joining Miss World was a
risk because it would coincide with your acting career. What pushed you to
join Miss World?

I think more than anything, it was a risk because acting was my main source of income and financially speaking, I wasn’t the best at that time and I didn’t know what would happen if I lost. Like—would it be okay? Would I still be where I was at? Or would I take a couple of steps down? You know, it was hard. And at that time, I was supporting my brother and my sister. So I was conflicted. But I also realized that my career was at a plateau, and I needed to do something different, and I wanted to do something different outside of showbiz at the same time!

So I said—what can I do that I know will impact my life and other people’s lives in the long run? And I’ve always wanted to join a pageant ever since. So when Miss World was there, and I did more of my research on it, I figured that it was a risk for me—but if I do happen to win, then it’s a long-term achievement for me and for the people around me. Because I won’t just be helping myself. I’ll be able to help my brother and my sister, and I’ll be able to help my mom, and other people out there who are in need. So it was me wanting to do something that benefits people around me. It’s not just like, “Oh, I’ll do my acting and I’ll earn money and I’ll become a public figure.” I didn’t want it to be one-sided.

What were the preparations needed or that you had to go through to enter
Miss World? And how long did it take for you to train?

Well, I trained for probably 6 to 7 months maybe. But that was on and off. Like during the first half of the year, I was training with the girls who were competing for Binibining Pilipinas because Aces & Queens always has their training at one point. So I decided—okay, I’ll train with them so it feels competitive. Because when you’re with other girls, you feel that. And I knew at that year, at that moment, Binibini hadn’t started yet. I was the only one sure to do Miss World. So, at that time, I was the only one from the team. And if someone from that Binibini group happened to not win, they were going to join World. But in the end, it was just me. But I wanted to feel that thirst and competition, which is why I wanted to train with all these other girls, and it was really fun. I mean that goes for things like my poise and my walk. I’m makulit. I’m kengkoy. I’m maarte but I’m also super kengkoy. I didn’t have that poise that was required. I couldn’t walk for my life in high heels because I was always a sneaker girl! I had to work on my physique because I wasn’t a gym buff at that time. I would gym from time to time, but not for the figure that was needed. I didn’t know how to do makeup. I could speak in interview terms, but not in like a, “Answer this question in 30 seconds” kind of thing. Or how do you speak as a public person or as an ambassador? So these are all of the things that I had to learn from scratch. And people don’t realize that, “Oh, she really had to learn all that!” because some people think like, “Ah, kaya mo na yan! Just join.” But no, you need to train, girl! (laughs) You really have to.

Most people only see the glamorous side of Miss World, which is the pageant itself. But what happens after? Can you take us through your journey? What was a normal day like for you? What were your most important duties as Miss World?

Well, like you said, a lot of people tend to focus on the pageant night itself. But that’s only the beginning of it. Because the person that they choose for that—it’s like a month-long job interview, because you are an ambassador, you are a spokesperson, you carry the flag of the country, you carry the flag of the brand of Miss World, you’re there to speak on behalf of the children you’re raising money for. So imagine going to an event and you are their representative—how are you going to put across these donors that, “This is our advocacy, and this is something we want to raise funds for.” You need to be able to do that. It’s not just about looking good. It’s about making people realize what’s out there, and what’s happening in the world. It’s not one dimensional. It’s not always about the beauty. It’s not always about performing the best. It’s about having that attitude to stick it out for a year and be that person—be that person of responsibility. And if they see you complain over the simplest things, then you need to re-evaluate yourself and ask, “Am I honestly a worthy candidate to represent this brand? And this org?” And that’s what I realized when I was there. Oh my gosh. It’s such a difficult job but you enjoy doing it, and if you’re inspired to help people, then it doesn’t feel like a job.

We also read that you recently signed with a US talent agency, Innovative
Artists. How has training and preparations been like since then? And what
kind of roles do you see yourself doing?

Well, like I always tell people that ask me about that, when it comes to things like that, especially in the US, you really have to spend time there. And for me, although I’m signed with them and I can send them audition tapes, it’s still different if I’m training there. Right now, I have commitments here that I have to face and that I have to do. On the side, if a project comes and I’m in the Philippine, I can send them an audition tape. And if they like it, then you know, I’ll do it. But, it’s different. You really have to audition and work hard for it. And they have to see if you’re the right fit. For them, I’m a nobody. Like—who am I to them for them to create a role for me? I mean, you have to prove yourself and work hard. And with them, I’m starting from zero. Even below zero. My way of thinking is not to put myself on a pedestal, just like with Miss World. I have to work my way up because it will be more fulfilling in the end.

In your travels, what city or country, aside from Bali, made the most impact and why?

I think in terms of humanitarian work, it has to be Haiti. We went to Porto Prince, that’s their capital, and that’s where I really saw the devastation from the earthquake, and a lot of kids got displaced from their homes and their parents, whether they’re alive or not. So, it’s hard. If we think the Philippines is poor, we’re actually so lucky. We’re so lucky with what we have, compared to what I saw when I went to that country. And it’s so sad because my gosh, I complain so many things about my life but them, they don’t even have clean water! They can’t even drink clean water. So they have to walk three miles just to get water that’s dirty, and they get sick from it. It’s an eye-opener, really. Good thing we’re doing a water project there. You know, simple things like that really make an impact, and I even get emotional that’s why I’m kind of tearing up right now. It’s hard. It’s really hard. They don’t have clear roads. It’s all rocks, as in gigantic rocks. 14 kilometers took us five hours. Five hours to go 14 kilometers on the side of the mountain, where you’ll feel like you’ll fall. It’s insane. That’s in terms of humanitarian work. But I think one city that really caught my eye and I really fell in love with during my travels was New York. Because I would go there a lot and work with the Filipino community there, so I fell in love with the city. I’m a city girl, I think. (laughs)

What’s your favorite cuisine?

Awww, Japanese! Oh my gosh. I love Japanese. I love raw fish. As in, ahhhh, I cannot stress enough how much I love to eat food. Anything that’s Japanese, I will eat. Like I’d honestly eat rice and noodles everyday if I could.

Where’s your go-to Japanese restaurant here?

One of my favorites is Haru in Kapitolyo. Beside Café Juanita. That is our favorite one, because we always sit by the bar and we ask them to just surprise us with a sushi dish, and then they’ll give us something, aside from our Salmon Sashimi and Tamago Sushi that Mikael and I love. And then, I love a good Katsudon. I love a good Japanese curry. Tantanmen is my favorite type of ramen or Tsukemen, which is the dipping one! I love Japanese food!

You’re always out and about, so what do you do to relax and take a break
first? How do you take care of yourself?

Well, I don’t really believe in the pasma thing. But I always make sure that when I’m really tired and I come home, before I go to bed, I really take a nice, warm shower. Not hot, not cold. Just warm. To relax myself. Because I also want to have a good habit of sleeping on a clean bed, and not bringing in all the germs from outside. But aside from that, it’s really changing my lifestyle from pigging out every day. Now I’m a bit more like, “Okay, I’m going to eat well because I want to be healthy for myself and for my future family.” So even though I’m not yet married and I don’t have kids yet, I’m already thinking ahead. I want to prepare myself for those times so that at least I’m healthy, I’m well, and I want to live a long life. So I try to do the best that I can to take care of my body, from the inside, out.

From the very first cover story as Audrey Hepburn, to last week’s Madonna, Megan continues to catch our breaths with her different layouts for this month. Get to know her better in this Fast Talk video, where we asked her about everything beauty!