Bea Millan-Windorski
Millan-Windorski in 2025
Born
Beatrice Rebecca Millan-Windorski

(2002-08-15) August 15, 2002 (age 23)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Education University of Wisconsin–Madison (BA)
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[1]
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title
  • Miss Earth USA 2024
  • Miss Earth Water 2024
  • Miss Universe Philippines 2026
Hair color Brown[1]
Eye color Brown[1]
Major
competitions
  • Miss Earth USA 2024
  • (Winner)
  • Miss Earth 2024
  • (Miss Earth Water)
  • Miss Universe Philippines 2026
  • (Winner)
  • Miss Universe 2026
  • (TBD)

Beatrice Rebecca "Bea" Millan-Windorski (born August 15, 2002) is a Filipino and American beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe Philippines 2026. She will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant.

Born to an immigrant family, Millan-Windorski studied history and international relations before entering pageantry. She represented the United States at Miss Earth 2024, where she won the supplemental title Miss Earth Water.

After her stint in the competition, she moved permanently back to the Philippines. In 2026, the accredited partner of La Union for the Miss Universe Philippines competition named her as their candidate for the 2026 edition, where she won the main title.

Early life and education

Millan-Windorski was born on August 15, 2002, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States.[2][3] She was raised in an immigrant household based in a predominantly White area in the village of Whitefish Bay.[4]

Her maternal grandparents, Alfredo C. Millan and Marcela Buenavista Millan, immigrated to the United States from San Juan, La Union, in the Philippines, the latter of whom migrated to become a nurse.[5] Meanwhile, her paternal relatives migrated from Germany and Poland to work in the agriculture sector.[4] During her childhood, she would regularly visit her maternal grandmother's hometown in the Philippines for prolonged periods, an experience she would cite as an inspiration for her environmental advocacies.[5]

Millan-Windorski attended Whitefish Bay High School, where she was a member of the varsity dance team, string orchestra, and the debate team. She also attended the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and the Milwaukee Ballet School to learn the cello and study ballet, respectively.[6] At university, she double-majored in history and international relations at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she became a member of the Psi Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Her research interests included US–ASEAN relations.[5]

Pageantry

Local pageants

In 2020, Millan-Windorski won Miss Milwaukee Area Outstanding Teen, which qualified her for Miss Wisconsin’s Outstanding Teen 2021, a pageant that would be won by Eve Vanden Heuvel.[2]

Miss Earth USA 2024

Millan-Windorski represented Wisconsin at Miss Earth USA 2024. In preparation for the pageant, she trained with Alma Cabasal, Miss Philippines Earth Water 2013, and collaborated with Los Angeles-based Filipino designer Carl Andrada for her gowns in both the preliminary round and the finals. She went on to win the title, becoming the first Filipino American to win the contest, at the age of 21.[7][8]

Miss Earth 2024

Main article: Miss Earth 2024
Millan-Windorski as Miss Earth Water

As Miss Earth USA, Millan-Windorski represented the United States at the Miss Earth 2024 pageant. In the press presentation, she won gold in the Best Philippine Heritage Attire Award.[9] During the finals, she was advanced as a semifinalist and progressed to the top four final question-and-answer round.[10] She and her co-finalists were all asked about how they could promote old traditions in a world obsessed with modern technology. In her answer, she advocated for a return to "natural modes of production" and restraint in technological progress to recognize how natural features of the planet's ecosystem counteract global warming.[11]

At the end of the event, she was named Miss Earth Water, with Jessica Lane of Australia winning the Miss Earth 2024 title, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir of Iceland as Miss Earth Air, and Niva Antezana of Peru as Miss Earth Fire.[8]

Miss Universe Philippines 2026

Main article: Miss Universe Philippines 2026

On February 10, the local accredited partner for La Union named Millan-Windorski as their representative for the contest.[12][13] Online, her bid for the title received scrutiny with her background as a former delegate of the United States in Miss Earth.[14] However, personalities including Joy Barcoma have repudiated such sentiments, citing Millan-Windorski's experience being raised by a Filipina mother and her civic participation in the Philippines.[15] Following her appointment, publications, including The Philippine Star, identified Millan-Windorski as a frontrunner for the title.[16]

She collaborated with Mark Bumgarner for her evening gown for the preliminary competition.[17] Meanwhile, Axel Que designed her entry for the national costume competition, which featured wave and pearl motifs.[18]

Millan-Windorski qualified for the top 30 through the selection committee' choices and progressed through the top 15 and top 7.[19] For her evening gown, she collaborated with Anthony Ramirez for a copper-gold beaded design titled "Elyucana", inspired by the beaches of La Union.[20][21]

During the final question-and-answer portion, she was asked about the importance of representing the Philippines on the global stage despite the citizens' frustration over their country.[22] In her response, she emphasized the "limitless potential of the Filipino people", noting her love for country and identity as a Filipina who grew up in a "non-diverse" area in the United States and pledged to be a "public servant" as a titleholder.[23]

At the end of the event, she was named the winner, being crowned by her predecessor, Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon.[24][25]

Miss Universe 2026

Main article: Miss Universe 2026

Millan-Windorski will represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2026 competition in Puerto Rico, slated in November.[24]

Advocacies and causes

Millan-Windorski speaking at the anti-corruption fun run, part of the 2025 Philippine anti-corruption protests.

Millan-Windorski identifies as an advocate for the environment and migrant workers.[8][26] Having volunteered for refugee communities in Milwaukee at the age of 16, she heads the advocacy group Open Doors, Open Hearts, which aims support awareness on the experiences of climate refugees. At the same time, she is active with Project Curma, which seeks to conserve sea turtles native to La Union.[8]

She is a member of the environmental group Panatang Luntian, which has participated in demonstrations against government corruption, including the Baha sa Luneta protests called in response to the flood control projects scandal in the Philippines.[27][28]

Personal life

Millan-Windorski is Catholic.[29] In January 2024, she completed a fellowship with the Philippine Embassy and an internship in Washington, D.C.[5] Following her stint at Miss Earth 2024, Millan-Windorski moved to the Philippines.[12] As of 2026, she is a resident of Makati.[30]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bea". NYMMG.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Payo, Jasmine (May 3, 2026). "Who is Bea Millan-Windorski, Miss Universe Philippines 2026?". Rappler. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  3. ^ Fernando, Jefferson (May 3, 2026). "Bea Millan-Windorski's defining rise as Miss Universe Philippines 2026". Daily Tribune. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Adina, Armin P. (May 3, 2026). "Who is Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Bea Millan-Windorski?". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d Rueda, Nimfa (January 2, 2024). "Fil-Am human rights activist crowned Miss Earth USA". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  6. ^ Ramos, Neil (May 3, 2026). "Getting to know Bea Millan-Windorski, Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Winner". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  7. ^ "Bea Millan-Windorski discusses winning Miss Earth USA". Fox 32. January 19, 2024. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d Galozo, Monica (January 10, 2024). "Fil-Am Miss Earth USA advocates for the environment". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Adina, Armin P. (November 8, 2024). "No big leader in Miss Earth 2024 medal tally". inquirer.net. Archived from the original on January 6, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  10. ^ Arnaldo, Steph (November 9, 2024). "TRANSCRIPT: Miss Earth 2024 top 4 Q&A portion". Rappler. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  11. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (November 10, 2024). "TRANSCRIPT: Miss Earth 2024 Top 4 Q&A segment". inquirer.net. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  12. ^ a b Martinez, Gavin; hgarcia (January 17, 2026). "Fil-Am Bea Windorski reflects on Filipino identity amid Miss Universe buzz". inquirer.net. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  13. ^ Fernando, Jefferson (February 10, 2026). "Earth queens set to shine at Miss Universe Philippines 2026". Daily Tribune. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  14. ^ Wang, Mel (May 4, 2026). "Miss Universe PH Bea Millan Windorski Under Fire For Protests". Rolling Stone Philippines. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  15. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (May 3, 2026). "Joy Barcoma defends Bea Millan-Windorski: 'She is not an opportunist'". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  16. ^ Bracamonte, Earl D. C. (February 12, 2026). "Miss Universe Philippines 2026 early contenders to look out for". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  17. ^ Bracamonte, Earl D. C. (April 8, 2026). "Top picks at Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Evening Gown prelims". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  18. ^ Rosario, Moira Del (April 21, 2026). "Miss Universe PH: MEGA's Top 10 National Costumes". mega-asia.com. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  19. ^ Baylon, Khryzztine Joy. "Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Top 30". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  20. ^ Bravo, Frances Karmel S. (May 3, 2026). "Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Top 7 evening gowns". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  21. ^ Manucom, Randz (May 4, 2026). "Metro Exclusive: The Story Behind Miss Universe PH 2026 Bea Windorski's 'Elyucana' Look". Metro.ph. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  22. ^ Siazon, Rachelle (May 3, 2026). "FULL TRANSCRIPT: Miss Universe Philippines 2026 winning answer". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  23. ^ "Transcript: Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Top 7 Q&A". Metro.style. ABS-CBN News. May 2, 2026.
  24. ^ a b Iglesias, Iza (May 2, 2026). "La Union's Bea Millan-Windorski crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2026". The Manila Times. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  25. ^ Wang, Nickie (May 2, 2026). "Bea Millan Windorski wins Miss Universe Philippines 2026 crown". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  26. ^ Martinez, Gavin (February 16, 2026). "Fil-Am beauty queen Bea Millan-Windorski advocates for migrant workers". inquirer.net. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  27. ^ Licsi, Ayie. "LOOK: Celebrities join the Nov. 30 anti-corruption protests". Philstar Life. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  28. ^ Guanzon, Ian Peter (May 3, 2026). "Bea Millan-Windorski: Activist beauty queen to represent Ph at Miss Universe 2026". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  29. ^ Adina, Armin P. (May 3, 2026). "Who is Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Bea Millan-Windorski?". inquirer.net. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  30. ^ Basina, Carby (February 10, 2026). "Bea Millan-Windorski named Miss Universe Philippines - La Union". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
Wikimedia Commons logo
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bea Millan-Windorski.