Beyond The Surface: Redefining Beauty and Success | Michelle Dee | TEDxBritishSchoolManila

Summary

In her TEDx talk, Miss Universe semifinalist Michelle Gumabao shares her unconventional journey to success, challenging beauty pageant norms with her unique look and personality. Despite facing criticism and setbacks, including racism and bullying, she persevered, becoming a beloved figure and a successful advocate for tourism. Gumabao's story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of forging your own path, inspiring others to embrace their differences and strive for their goals.

Takeaways

• 👑 The speaker, a Miss Universe semifinalist, discusses her unconventional journey to success despite not winning the crown.
• 🏆 She was the most criticized Miss Universe Philippines delegate due to her unconventional looks and style.
• 🌐 Her upbringing was unique, growing up as a tomboyish adrenaline junkie on a ranch in the US, which shaped her identity.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 She faced personal challenges including racism and bullying due to having siblings on the autism spectrum.
• 🏆 Despite being doubted by others, she became the most awarded Miss Universe delegate in history, winning four out of five major awards.
• 💪 Her success was not handed to her; it was a result of hard work, overcoming trials, and a fighting spirit.
• 🌱 She emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, recognizing one's strengths and weaknesses, and being one's own worst critic.
• 🗣️ The speaker had to learn to listen to others while maintaining confidence in herself, a balance crucial for personal growth.
• ⚓ She比喻 herself as the captain of her own ship, navigating through life's challenges alone and creating her own path.
• 🌟 Her story is one of perseverance and determination, showing that success is not always marked by a crown but by the impact and love for one's home.

Q & A

What was the speaker's experience as Miss Universe Philippines delegate?

The speaker became the most criticized Miss Universe Philippines delegate after winning the national title, with her unconventional looks and style being the subject of much discussion and criticism.

How did the speaker's upbringing influence her approach to breaking stereotypes?

The speaker's upbringing as a tomboyish adrenaline junkie in an isolated ranch in the US, combined with her mother's legacy as a beauty icon, shaped her into an epitome of unconventional beauty and motivated her to break stereotypes.

What challenges did the speaker face during her journey to success?

The speaker faced challenges such as being a victim of racism, bullying due to her siblings' autism, frequent relocations, and almost failing to graduate college due to the death of her late grandmother, who was a significant support in her life.

How did the speaker transform from being criticized to becoming one of the most loved figures?

Through hard work, dedication, and overcoming trials, the speaker managed to turn public perception and became one of the most loved figures, also becoming one of the newest tourist ambassadors of the Philippines.

What significant awards did the speaker win in the Miss Universe competition?

The speaker won four out of the five major awards at Miss Universe, marking her as the most awarded Miss Universe delegate in the history of the competition.

What personal philosophy did the speaker adopt to navigate her life's challenges?

The speaker adopted a perspective of resilience, recognizing that she could handle anything life threw at her, which gave her the strength to compete and succeed.

How did the speaker's experience with failure influence her approach to her pageant journey?

The speaker's experience with failure, such as almost not graduating college and the death of her grandmother, made her realize her strength to overcome obstacles and fueled her determination to compete in pageants.

What was the speaker's strategy to become a grateful and hardworking person?

The speaker focused on recognizing her strengths and weaknesses, learning to listen to others while being confident in herself, and being her own worst critic, which helped her to become both grateful and hardworking.

Why did the speaker decide to compete in the Miss Universe competition three times?

The speaker competed three times to fight for her country, her advocacy, her family, and to achieve something she believed in, not settling for anything less than what they deserved.

What message does the speaker convey about forging one's own path?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of having the courage to be different, to stand out, and to make one's own success, regardless of the challenges faced.

How does the speaker define her success beyond winning a crown?

The speaker defines her success by the shared love for her home, the determination to make a difference, and the impact she has made, rather than by winning a crown.