Miss Universe PH 2024 candidate joins Miss California USA

Janet Hammond / Photo from jethammond/Instagram

When one door closes, another one opens. Former Miss Universe Philippines 2024 contestant from the Filipino community of Southern California is all set to start anew.

After securing finalist spots in both the National Costume and Swimsuit Challenge categories in MUPH, Filipino American beauty Janet “Jet” Hammond is now vying for a chance to become Miss Universe – not in the Philippines, but in the US as she jets off to compete in Miss California USA.

In her Instagram post, the beauty queen, actress and advocate shared a reel of moments from the recently concluded pageant on her birthday, captioning it, “Closing this chapter, and starting a new.”

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A post shared by Janet Hammond (@jethammond)

“Wrapping up my #MUPH journey with a grateful heart for it has been an experience of a lifetime,” she continued. “But this woman ain’t giving up on her dream just yet – however long it takes, wherever it may happen. Speaking of, where to next?”

Now that the Miss Universe organization has broadened its qualifications, 26-year-old Hammond, as a married woman, gives her Miss Universe dream another try. With her experience in the Philippines alongside pageant veterans and repeaters, she’s ready for another challenge. She concluded her post with, “Dream without limits. Jetaime” and the hashtag, “#JETSETONEMORETIME.”

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A post shared by Janet Hammond (@jethammond)

In a separate post with brand new photos further confirming her participation, she wrote, “level 26 unlocked: same girl, same name; different mindset, new game. hi [Miss California USA] see you soon,” with the hashtags “#JETSETUNIVERSE #JETTHECROWN.”

Hammond will represent Arcadia City during the coronation night on June 23. The reigning Miss California USA, Tianna Clark, will crown the winner, who will go on to represent the state in the Miss USA pageant.

The Fil-Am contestant isn’t the only one competing in another pageant right after MUPH. Christina Dela Cruz Chalk, from the Filipino community in the United Kingdom and a semi-finalist in MUPH 2024, will try her luck at Miss Universe Great Britain 2024, where she was first runner-up twice. Hawai’i’s Bianca Tapia and Cavite’s Dia Mate have also crossed over to Miss World Philippines 2024 and will compete for one of the crowns.