In a tell-all session with Dr. Vicki Belo, these Filipina beauty queens share how the Belo Body Reset program transformed their confidence
In a world where cosmetic procedures are often whispered about behind closed doors, three of the Philippines’ celebrated Miss Universe representatives are challenging the stigma around liposuction. Far from the outdated notion of it being a “quick fix” or “cheating,” modern liposuction has evolved into a refined tool for body sculpting when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
Catriona Gray, Celeste Cortesi, and Michelle Dee have all stepped forward to share how this often misunderstood procedure, when done with proper medical supervision, played a strategic role in their pageant success.
In a candid video with Dr. Vicki Belo, the queens shared how medical aesthetics boosted their confidence during pageant preparations. They highlighted the personalized nature of the Belo Body Reset program, opening up about how their beauty enhancement experiences led to healthy weight management.
READ: 2025 food trends to try at home
How liposuction gave Catriona Gray confidence
Catriona Gray, who brought home the crown in 2018, has always been known for her transparency with fans. The Filipino-Australian beauty queen, whose iconic lava walk captured global attention, revealed her personal journey with body enhancement.
“I did a lot of Onda, Exilis, Emsculpt because toning and tightening was really my goal,” Gray shared. In a surprising admission, she added, “I even tried Lipo for the first time at the back of my arms.”
The Ms. Universe queen described her liposuction experience, “It was really nice to be educated, to be guided through what I could expect. It was just a little thing that I did, and I was able to carry myself in a certain way because I feel that it translates to confidence for me.”
Celeste Cortesi’s last-minute decision
In what she playfully dubbed “revelation day,” Celeste Cortesi shared in the video a shocking pre-pageant story. The stunning Filipino-Italian representative, who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines in 2022, made a bold decision just two weeks before the Miss Universe competition.
“Before I left for the US, she (Dr. Belo) suggested that I should be doing lipo on my arms because that’s where I really deposit all my fats,” Cortesi shared. “We were crazy, both of us!” she laughs. The risk paid off, as Cortesi recovered in just three days.
Michelle Dee’s transformation journey
Michelle Dee, fresh from her impressive Miss Universe journey in 2023, joined what she called “the day of confessions.” The daughter of actress Melanie Marquez shared how her preparation involved targeted enhancements. “Right after winning Miss Universe Philippines, my waistline was at 27,” she recalled, discussing her experience with targeted liposuction around her back and waist.
Dee emphasized the importance of a balanced approach: “I didn’t just go to Doc and say, I want the perfect body right away. Of course, I tried my best to lose weight. Then it became really stubborn and you just need that extra love.” She added, “I needed that Thermage, the Emsculpt, the Onda, because we’re all aging, so you really need the assist.”
The results speak for themselves, as Dee notes, “If you just put my winning photo and my Miss Universe competing photos side by side, you really see a big difference and there’s a whole lot of Belo love in between.”
READ: Australian Open 2025: Jewelry and watch pieces that stole the spotlight
The Belo Body Reset
What sets these queens’ journeys apart is the highly personalized nature of their treatments. The Belo Body Reset Program takes into account each individual’s unique body composition and goals, creating sustainable, medically supervised enhancement plans.
From non-invasive treatments like Thermage and Emsculpt to minimal downtime procedures, each queen received a customized combination of treatments to achieve pageant-ready figures.
Connect with Belo Beauty on Instagram or call 8819 BELO (2356) to book a consultation