In classrooms across Milwaukee, a younger version of Bea Millan-Windorski would point to a map, locating a country that, to her peers, barely registered, but to her, felt like home.
Years later, that same country now rallies behind her.
Last year’s near-win of Ahtisa Manalo still lingers in collective memory.
This coming November, most pageant fans are looking toward the Miss Universe stage again, this time in Puerto Rico.
Standing taller than any Filipina sent before, she cuts a striking figure—her profile nothing short of magnifique.
Read on to get to know Bea Millan-Windorski and her journey.
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EARLY LIFE
Full Name, Birthdate, Age
Beatrice Rebecca Millan-Windorski, more commonly known as Bea, was born on August 16, 2002.
She is expected to turn 24 years old ahead of the Miss Universe 2026 coronation night in November.
Hometown
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she grew up in a city known for its industrial backbone, vibrant arts scene, and strong immigrant heritage.
It is an environment that, while culturally rich in its own right, was not particularly diverse.
Despite being raised in the United States, her connection to the Philippines has always remained central.
Her roots trace back to San Juan, La Union, which is widely recognized as the Surfing Capital of the North.
It's a coastal town she ends up representing on the national stage,
On her mother’s side, her grandparents Alfredo and Marcela Millan were originally based in San Juan before relocating to Nueva Vizcaya.
Like many Filipino families, they eventually immigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities.
Family
Bea comes from a family of four, raised by her parents alongside her sibling.
Her mother, a Filipina, moved to the United States, where she met Bea’s father, an American of Polish-German descent.
Growing up in this environment exposed her to a blend of traditions and values, shaping a worldview that bridges multiple cultures and identities.
She has also been open about her family dynamics, particularly her relationship with her sibling.
As the younger sister of Amelia, who now goes by Sunny and uses they/them pronouns, she has spoken about how witnessing their transition influenced her understanding of identity and inclusivity, which later became her advocacy.
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EDUCATION
Bea completed her secondary education at Whitefish Bay High School, graduating on July 30, 2020.
Her academic journey continued at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied from September 2020 to 2023.
There, she earned dual bachelor’s degrees in History and International Relations—fields that reflect both her intellectual curiosity and her interest in global systems, governance, and cultural narratives.
During her time in university, she was exposed to interdisciplinary discussions that bridged sociology, politics, and environmental studies.
Beyond formal education, Bea has also engaged in community-based learning. On October 9, 2024, she participated in Project CURMA’s Sea Turtle 101 workshop in San Juan, La Union.
The initiative, attended by around 150 students from San Juan National High School, highlights her involvement in grassroots environmental education.
CAREER
Modeling
Alongside her pageant career, Bea has established herself in the modeling industry, using her platform to gain exposure in the international fashion scene.
Her Instagram profile documents a growing portfolio of runway appearances.
She has participated in major fashion events, including New York Fashion Week, where she modeled for various designers.
In September 2024, she walked for Rhcèe during the inaugural Queen Beauty Network show held at Sony Hall in New York City.
Around the same period, she also took part in Los Angeles Climate Week, merging her modeling work with her advocacy engagements.
On October 5, 2024, she participated in Fil-Am Fashion Week 2024 at The Atrium at Seatac Marriott in Seattle, Washington.
These appearances signal a career that intersects fashion, representation, and advocacy.
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PAGEANT HISTORY
Bea’s entry into pageantry came at an early age.
Standing at 5’11”, she possesses the height often favored in beauty contests though her trajectory suggests that her appeal extends far beyond physical attributes.
At 17, she was crowned Miss Milwaukee Area Outstanding Teen 2020, marking her first major title.
The following year, on June 18, 2021, she competed at Miss Wisconsin’s Outstanding Teen 2021 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where she went unplaced—an early reminder of the competitive nature of the field.
Her breakthrough came in May 2023, when she was crowned Miss Wisconsin Earth 2023, coinciding with her graduation from university.
This win propelled her onto the national stage, and on December 31, 2023, she represented Wisconsin at Miss Earth USA 2024 in Orlando, Florida, where she emerged victorious among 52 candidates.
Representing the United States at Miss Earth 2024 on November 9, 2024, held at Okada Manila in Parañaque, she competed against 75 candidates and finished as Miss Earth Water 2024, placing third overall.
She returned to the same stage on November 5, 2025, to crown her successor, Miss Earth Air 2025 My Anh Trinh of Vietnam.
Her transition to the Philippine pageant scene began on February 16, 2026, when she was introduced as Miss Universe La Union 2026.
Just months later, on May 2, 2026, she competed at Miss Universe Philippines 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where she secured the national title.
During the final question segment, she and the other six finalists were asked why it remains worthwhile to represent the Philippines on the global stage despite growing frustrations among Filipinos.
Her response and eventual winning answer emphasized her lifelong connection to the country, framing the role as a commitment to public service as much as it is a symbolic title.
“The Philippines is something and a place that I’ve been in love with my whole life. Growing up in a predominantly non-diverse part of the United States, I was identified as Filipina first and foremost.
“I often had to point where the Philippines was on a map to my peers and I always felt a sense of belonging and home.
“I chose to pack my life into balikbayan boxes and suitcases because I believe in the limitless potential of the Filipino people and the fact that we need to create local opportunities here so that people don’t have to go abroad and be separated from their families in order to survive and thrive.
“If I were given the title of Miss Universe Philippines, I promise to be a public servant for all.”
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PERSONAL LIFE
Bea's Advocacies
- LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
Bea has been vocal about her support for the LGBTQIA+ community, positioning her advocacy as both personal and political.
An interview with pageant coverage ptatform The Qrown Philippines published on March 12, 2026, shows the 23-year-old confirming that she not only identifies as an ally.
In her own words: “Not only am I an ally. Medyo part kasi bisikleta ako.
“But also, I’m the proud younger sister of a trans man. So, I grew up with my sibling being Amelia. But now, they are Sunny.
“I think it’s really important to have more conversations on trans acceptance here in the Philippines because there is a level of social acceptance; there’s also a necessary level of legal protection that I’d really like to advocate for.
“So, long-term after MUPH, I really wanna pursue a career in public service because I believe in connecting with what the public believes into real policy action.”
On trans women competing for the title of Miss Universe, Bea answersed in the same interview: “I believe that trans women are women and they experience different difficulties than me, but that doesn’t make them any less of who they are at their core.
“I’m incredibly supportive of trans women competing at Miss Universe and I know that for the MUPH organization, unfortunately, they’re unable to allow trans women to compete due to how the law is here.
“So, that’s why I also would love to continue my career in advocating for a change in the law so that trans women could compete side by side with us as well.”
- ANTI-BULLYING
Her advocacy also addresses bullying and body image, shaped by her own experiences growing up.
She has spoken openly about being targeted for her physical appearance, particularly her chin, as well as for being academically focused during her school years.
As she related to the press after being crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026: “This has been a difficult journey for me.
“Things that I can’t change about myself [is] some bullying about my physical appearance. But, that comes with the territory.”
She reframed it on her own terms: “[I was bullied for] my chin. But my chin is something I love because it’s the same chin as my mom, as my lola. And I would rather honor the stories of the women who came before me than fit a certain beauty standards.”
Her message extends to others who face similar experiences.
“I would say that first and foremost, you need to be enough for yourself, and who you were as a child.
“The fact that I’ve been able to embrace my differences and what makes me unique, is what would’ve made Bea who was bullied throughout high school, really proud of herself.”
- CLIMATE REFUGEE RIGHTS
Her primary advocacy centers on climate refugee rights, rooted in both academic exposure and personal conviction.
This focus can be traced back to an interview with On Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s award-winning alumni magazine, published in its Winter 2024 issue following Bea’s coronation as Miss Earth USA 2024.
During her time at the university, a class under Assistant Professor Katherine Jensen became a turning point in shaping her understanding of the issue.
It was there that she was introduced to the legal gaps surrounding climate-induced displacement, which she points to as an area that remains largely unrecognized in international law.
As she shared in the publication: “She [Assistant Professor Katherine Jensen] taught us how, on an international scale, there’s no recognition or legal pathways toward asylum [for climate refugees].
“I aspire to one day work in the international affairs space to expand those legal definitions to include those specifically affected by climate change.”
That realization launched to the forefront of her platform.
Rather than treating environmental advocacy as a broad or abstract cause, she has consistently anchored it in policy—specifically, the need to formally recognize and protect individuals displaced by climate-related events.
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