Gwendolyne Fourniol admitted that she was hurt and confused following her early exit at the recently concluded 71st Miss World.
In her lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday, March 13, the beauty queen looked back on her Miss World journey, saying how she has been overwhelmed with the love and support she received following her loss.
“I can’t help but be emotional. My eyes are swelling with tears trying to hold it all in so the world can see a brave woman who gave her all,” she wrote.
“But like any human being, I think it is normal to admit that it is okay to be vulnerable, it is okay to be hurt, it is okay to be in shock and question myself and my capabilities,” she continued.
The French-Filipina beauty queen went on about how she has been thinking of what she could have done better during the international pageant, but ultimately accepted that it is a learning experience and that there are bigger things that are meant for her.
“I am admittedly still in a state of confusion. And I keep asking myself what went wrong, what I did differently or what was missed because I tried to cover all possible angles,” she lamented.
“But the overthinking brought me at a standstill and I now rest in the thought that this is something I can learn from. I also have faith that a divine being is guiding me to a bigger yet an unknown path for now,” she continued.
She also expressed how painful it is to “disappoint” people, including the children of the ERDA Foundation, who supported her since the beginning.
“My journey was not an easy one and the thought of disappointing people who believed and continue to believe in me really breaks my heart. Most of all, the thought of disheartening the people who I am fighting for, the children of ERDA, the mother volunteers who tirelessly devote their time to the cause, really crushes my soul,” she mused.
Gwendolyne expressed her gratitude to the key people in her journey, including the Miss World Organization since it gave her a “wonderful experience.”
“But these same people: YOU, ERDA, My team, My family, are the same people giving me hope, touching me with a glimmer of light, and providing me a reason to stand up and continue advocating for causes close to my heart. Now, I am seeing the bigger picture and I am filled with gratitude,” the beauty queen wrote.
“I shall soldier on … because I know I will be stronger, better and wiser. This is your Miss World Philippines, Gwendolyne Fourniol! Mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat! At maraming salamat po sa suportang ibinigay ninyo,” she concluded her post.
Gwendolyne failed to secure a spot in the Top 40 of the 71st Miss World held on March 9 in India.
Prior to the coronation night, she was among the Top 23 talent semifinalists and Top 25 finalists of Miss World’s Head-to-Head Challenge, where she impressed the jury with her speech that put a spotlight on education as part of her Beauty With A Purpose advocacy.
Actress Megan Young remains as the first and only Pinay winner of Miss World. She won the competition in 2013.
