Almost but not quite, the Philippines’ Chelsea Fernandez nearly finished as runner-up to USA’s Yolina Lindquist during the grand finale of Miss Cosmo 2025, held at the Creative Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Saturday night.
Lindquist and Fernandez were named as the last two remaining finalists. Lindquist was crowned by last year’s winner Ketut Permata Juliastrid, while Fernandez was crowned by last year’s runner-up Karnruethai Tassabut.
Lindquist, who works as a community engagement and talent acquisition specialist, graduated summa cum laude from Southern Illinois University with degrees in marketing, international and financial economics, German, and international trade.
In the final Q&A round, the former Miss Illinois USA 2025 first runner-up talked about her platform, “Courage Over Cancer,” which supports research, fundraising, and patient outreach, driven by personal experiences with cancer.
Fernandez, who stunned during the evening gown segment wearing an elegant, ethereal, bejeweled dress by Leo Almodal, won Best in Evening Gown and also the People’s Choice Award, which gave her a spot in the Top 10 round.
Others in the Top 5 were Brazil’s Gabriela Borges, Panama’s Italy Mora, and Myanmar’s Myint Myat Moe. Rounding out the Top 10 were Colombia’s Dayana Cardenas, Cuba’s Amys Napoles Ochoa, Thailand’s Chotnapa Kaewiarun, Vietnam’s Hoang Phuong Linh Nguyen, and Zimbabwe’s Lisa Sibanda.
During the Final 2 Q&A round, Miss Universe 2025 fourth runner-up Olivia Yace asked Fernandez, “If you could change one mindset about women that still limits progress today, what will it be?” It would be women are not leaders.
Fernandez answered, “That is not true. We women have that innate value of leadership. However, sometimes we are not given opportunities and spaces and chances, and as Miss Cosmo who ignites change, I would like to empower all women to immerse themselves in activities that can enrich your skills and in order for us to move forward, because we women can stand on our own, and women can also have it all.”
In the final debate with Lindquist, Fernandez talked about her “Paradise of the Mangroves” project, which she explained plans to plant 5,000 propagules in one hectare in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. “With this, I believe that economic growth will definitely go up, and I hope you continue to support me in this mission because I believe the little seeds that we plant today will grow into a forest of change tomorrow,” she said.
