At the first Slay Model Search Asia 2023, Filipino model Tracey Dela Cruz was hailed as a crowd favorite

• 

Filipino model Tracey Dela Cruz won the title of “Bigo Fan Favorite” in the international transgender modeling competition Slay Model Search Asia 2023, besting 24 other finalists from Southeast Asia. Tracey, from Paranaque City, was also acclaimed as the crowd favorite after taking home the ‘Top Vote Box’ award for receiving the most votes during the tournament using the Bigo Live app.

• 

Tracey Dela Cruz, who was awarded a gift check of 100,000 Bigo Beans and a trophy, said, “I am grateful to represent the Philippines in this historic event and was lucky to share these memories and experiences with different girls from Asia. I was surprised to find out that I was the Bigo fan favourite, garnering the most votes from supporters across the region. I had an amazing and fun time and am thankful for being given a platform to inspire others and elevate trans beauty on a global stage.”

In collaboration with renowned international cosmetics company MAC Cosmetics and global livestreaming platform Bigo Live Philippines, Slay Model Management, an international model management agency, launched Slay Model Search Asia 2023. At the competition’s grand finale on April 27, 24 model contestants strutted the runway while exhibiting their grace, attractiveness, and innovation in several challenges and rounds.

The brand new talent search competition made history as it featured trans women from all over Asia, and was aired on ABS-CBN and Bigo Live attracting thousands of viewers and supporters in the Philippines and worldwide. Out of 24 participants from the region, 13 contestants were from the Philippines and drew in participants from across Southeast Asia including Thailand, India, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

In the Semi-Finals, only the top 12 contestants were shortlisted, with six of them from Philippines, namely, Tracey Dela Cruz, KC Cusi, Louell Celis, Durian Bautista, Abby Ecalnir and Lauren Sanz  (in the order they were called).

Sauce Chulalakkul of Thailand came in second, and Abby Ecalnir of the Philippines came in first. Thailand’s Nana Jantarat was named the Slay Model Search Asia 2023 Champion. As the victor, Nana took home a million worth of prizes, including a modeling contract and a gift check from Bigo Live for one million beans.

Vice Ganda and Karylle, the hosts of “It’s Showtime,” Carole Cuasay Tagle, a magazine editor and stylist, and Josh Yugen, a multi-award-winning author, magazine proprietor, and National Director for three franchises of the Miss Universe Organization, were among the esteemed panel of judges who presided over the event.

“We would like to congratulate all the talented and beautiful finalists and winners of the Slay Model Search Asia 2023. Bigo Live is proud to be a major sponsor of the inaugural modeling competition, celebrating and elevating trans women in Asia. At Bigo Live, we remain committed to creating a safe and respectful space for our trans and LGBTQ+ community to connect, listen and support each other,” said Chancy Chen, Country Manager of Bigo Live Philippines.