Megan Lynne Young (born February 27, 1990) is a Filipino-American actress, model, television presenter and beauty queen who won the

Miss World Philippines 2013 Miss World Philippines 2013 was the 3rd edition of the Miss World Philippines pageant. It was held at the Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque, Philippines. on August 18, 2013. At the end of the event, Queenierich Rehman crowned Megan Young ...

title and was later crowned as

Miss World 2013 Miss World 2013, the 63rd edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 28 September 2013 at Bali International Convention Center, South Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. It was the first time in Southeast Asia and it also was the first time in the page ...

. She is the first

Filipina Filipinos ( tl, Mga Pilipino) are the people who are citizens of or native to the Philippines. The majority of Filipinos today come from various Austronesian ethnolinguistic groups, all typically speaking either Filipino, English and/or other ...

to win the title of

Miss World Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Miss Int ...

. Young started as a contestant of the reality television show '' StarStruck'' .

Early life and education

Young was born on February 27, 1990 in

Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria is an independent city (United States), independent city in the northern region of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of Downto ...

to Victoria Talde, from Pandan,

Antique An antique ( la, antiquus; 'old', 'ancient') is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old (or some other limit), although the term is often used loosely ...

, and American Calvin Cole Young III. Young's family moved to

Castillejos Castillejos, officially the Municipality of Castillejos ( ilo, Ili ti Castillejos; tl, Bayan ng Castillejos), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 67,889 peopl ...

Zambales Zambales, officially the Province of Zambales ( fil, Lalawigan ng Zambales; ilo, Probinsia ti Zambales; Pangasinan: ''Luyag/Probinsia na Zambales''; xsb, Probinsya nin Zambales), is a province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon re ...

when she was ten. She received secondary education in

Regional Science High School III Regional Science High School III (more commonly known as RSHS III) is a science high school located in East Kalayaan, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Zambales province of the Philippines. The school implements a specialized science and mat ...

within the

Subic Bay Freeport Zone The Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone, often shorterned as Subic Bay or Subic, is a special economic zone and freeport area covering portions of the city of Olongapo and the town of Subic in Zambales, and the towns of Morong and Herm ...

from 2002 to 2005 before moving to

Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the capital region, seat of government and one of three List of metrop ...

to pursue her acting career. In 2011, she began studying

filmmaking Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through screenwriting, casti ...

at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Career

2004–07: Early acting career in GMA

Young's first showbiz break was through the second season of the talent reality search, '' StarStruck'', wherein she placed in the top six. Her first acting job in GMA was in '' Love to Love Presents: Love Ko Urok'' wherein she played the role of Meg. She then played the role of Anna in ''

Asian Treasures ''Asian Treasures'' is a 2007 Philippine television drama adventure series broadcast by GMA Network. The series marked as the first Philippine television drama series to be filmed in Mongolia, Thailand and China, and is one of the most expensiv ...

'' and the role of a fairy in '' Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang''.

2007–14: Transfer to ABS-CBN and TV5

After more than two years with

GMA Artist Center Sparkle (formerly GMA Artist Center, also known as Sparkle GMA Artist Center and GMA Talent Management and Development Department) is the talent agency owned by GMA Network Inc. based in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines that was founded i ...

, she moved to

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...

following her sister,

Lauren Young Lauren Anne Young (born November 8, 1993), simply known as Lauren Young, is a Filipino-American actress, singer, and model. She is the younger sister of actress and Miss World 2013 Megan Young. Biography Career Young was one of the 20 new tal ...

. She is the first '' StarStruck'' alumna to transfer to GMA's rival station, ABS-CBN. Young first appeared in ABS-CBN in the youth oriented show "

Star Magic Presents ''Star Magic Presents'' is a weekly love anthology program that began airing on the ABS-CBN network in the Philippines from July 29, 2006 to May 10, 2008. The show features artists from Star Magic, the talent management agency of ABS-CBN. In an i ...

" ''

Astigs ''Astigs'' is an ABS-CBN's weekly youth-oriented program running under the youth anthology series " Star Magic Presents" which started airing from January 12, 2008 to May 10, 2008 The show will feature different stories every six weeks. Season 1: ...

'' and ''

Abt Ur Luv ''Abt Ur Luv'' was a weekly, youth-oriented program broadcast on ABS-CBN. The series began airing from November 25, 2006 to January 5, 2008. Season 1 Cast and characters *Shaina Magdayao as Neri *Rayver Cruz as Gens *Denise Laurel as Celine *L ...

''. She also played the role of Shane in '' Kokey'', opposite

Zanjoe Marudo Zanjoe Acuesta Marudo (born July 23, 1982) is a Filipino actor and model. He began his career after finishing as the 4th Big Placer of '' Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 1'' (2006). Since then he has starred in the TV series' ''Lovers in P ...

. She became well known when she appeared as one of the celebrity housemates in '' Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 2'', dubbed as "The Princess of Charm". After ''PBB'', she portrayed the villain Marcela in ABS-CBN's remake of ''

I Love Betty La Fea ''I Love Betty La Fea'' (stylized as ''I ♥ Betty La Fea'') is a Philippine drama series that was aired on ABS-CBN, based on the Colombian series ''Yo soy Betty, la fea'' from RCN Televisión from September 8, 2008 to April 24, 2009 replacing ' ...

'' opposite

John Lloyd Cruz John Lloyd Espidol Cruz (born June 24, 1983) is a Filipino actor, model and occasional TV host. He was a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, where he is an alumnus of Batch 5. He starred in the teen drama ''Tabing Ilog'', and is best known for his ...

. In 2009, she was one of four personalities introduced as video jockeys for the relaunching of Channel Philippines. Young also became an occasional host in several shows in

Studio 23 Studio 23 (officially Studio 23, Inc. and previously AMCARA Broadcasting Network) was a Filipino television network owned by ABS-CBN Corporation. The network was named for its flagship station in Metro Manila, DWAC-TV and carried on UHF chann ...

. In 2012, Young had her big break as a lead actress in '' Hiyas'', reuniting with Zanjoe Marudo as her love interest. In 2013, she switched to TV5 but still made appearances in the Kapamilya network. Aside from television, Young has also starred in a few films, one of which was '' The Reunion'', where she played Toyang, opposite

Xian Lim Alexander Xian Lim (born July 12, 1989) is a Filipino actor, model, singer, host, blogger, filmmaker and professional basketball player. He is best known for his roles in '' My Binondo Girl'' (2011), '' The Reunion'' (2012), '' Ina, Kapatid, ...

. Young was nominated as Outstanding Guest Star on Dahsyatnya Awards 2014.

2015–present: Return to GMA Network

In March 2015, Megan Young returned to

GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...

after four years of exclusive contract with

. Her comeback project in the ''Kapuso Network'' is the most anticipated second adaptation of the hit Mexicanovela '' MariMar'' where she plays the title role. She is paired with

Tom Rodriguez Bartolome Alberto Mott (born October 1, 1987), known professionally as Tom Rodriguez, is a Filipino-American model, actor, host and singer. Biography Rodriguez is from Catbalogan, Samar. He was born in Subic Naval Base in Zambales to an Ameri ...

who plays the role of her love interest ''Sergio''. Her sister

is also part of the show and plays the role of ''MariMar's'' main antagonist ''Antonia''. This marks their second project together after Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv Ur Lyf 2. Megan is also one of the hosts in the sixth edition of the reality talent search '' Starstruck'' which launched her career as an artist. She's working alongside

Dingdong Dantes Jose Sixto Raphael Gonzalez Dantes III (born August 2, 1980), professionally known as Dingdong Dantes (), is a Filipino actor, television presenter, dancer, commercial model and film producer who is currently working as an employment contract, ...

as main host, and her co-''Starstruck'' alumni

Mark Herras Mark Angelo Santos Herras (born December 14, 1986) is a Filipino film and television actor. He won in the reality talent show '' StarStruck'' aired in GMA Network. He also appeared in ''Forever in My Heart'', ''Encantadia'', ''SOP'', and ''I Lu ...

Rocco Nacino Enrico Raphael Quiogue Nacino (born March 21, 1987 in Baguio, Benguet, Philippines), known professionally as Rocco Nacino, is a Filipino actor. He won the title of Second Prince in the fifth season of '' StarStruck''. He is currently an exclusi ...

Miguel Tanfelix Miguel Torrejos Tanfelix (born September 21, 1998) is a Filipino actor. Tanfelix received his breakthrough performance when he played the role Niño , a mentally challenged boy in the series '' Niño'' (2014). He is also known for the aftern ...

, and Kris Bernal, who serve as ''journey hosts''. The show premiered on September 7, 2015.

Pageantry

Megan Young with Philippine flag (cropped)

Miss World Philippines 2013

She was crowned

during the pageant coronation night on August 18, 2013. She also bagged the ''Best in Fashion Runway'', ''Miss Sports'' by

Fila Fila Holdings Corp. is a sportswear brand of shoes and apparel. The company was founded by Ettore and Giansevero Fila in 1911 in Coggiola, near Biella, Piedmont, Italy. In 2003, it was sold to United States-based Sports Brand International. Sub ...

, ''Miss Reducin'', ''Miss Olay'', ''Miss Laguna'', ''Miss Figlia'' and ''Miss Bench Body'' awards. On October 12, 2014, Young crowned

Valerie Weigmann Valerie Clacio Weigmann (born March 13, 1990) is a Filipino-German actress, TV Host, fashion model, and beauty pageant titleholder of Danish descent who was crowned Miss World Philippines 2014. She represented the Philippines at the Miss World ...

as her successor at the

Miss World Philippines 2014 Miss World Philippines 2014 was the 4th edition of the Miss World Philippines pageant. It was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Philippines on October 12, 2014. At the end of the event, Megan Young crowned Valerie Weigmann as Miss Wor ...

pageant held at the

Mall of Asia Arena The SM Mall of Asia Arena, also known as the Mall of Asia Arena or the MoA Arena, is an indoor arena within the SM Mall of Asia complex, in Bay City, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. It has a seating capacity of 15,000 for sporting events, an ...

Pasay Pasay, officially the City of Pasay ( fil, Lungsod ng Pasay; ), is a 1st class Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Metro Manila, National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, i ...

Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

Miss World 2013

Young was crowned as

Bali Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nu ...

, Indonesia, making her the first Filipina to win the title of

since its creation in 1951. During the preliminaries, she also won the "Top Model" competition, placed second in the "People's Champion," placed fourth in the "Multimedia Challenge" and fifth in the "Beach Beauty" contest. In the final question and answer portion, the contestants in the Top 6 were asked the same question: "Why should you be the next Miss World?" and Young replied:

Young also received the Continental Queen of Beauty title as Miss World Asia 2013, the highest ranked contestant in the Asian region and was featured in the Dances of the World segment of the final show. On December 14, 2014, Young crowned

Rolene Strauss Rolene Strauss (born 22 April 1992) is a South African beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss South Africa 2014 and was later crowned Miss World 2014. She is the third South African woman to be crowned Miss World, after Penelope Anne Coelen in ...

as her successor at the

Miss World 2014 Miss World 2014, the 64th edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 14 December 2014 at the ExCeL London in London, United Kingdom. 121 contestants competed for the crown. Megan Young of the Philippines crowned her successor Rolene Str ...

pageant held at the

ExCeL London ExCeL London (an abbreviation for Exhibition Centre London) is an exhibition centre, international convention centre and former hospital in the Custom House, Newham, Custom House area of London Borough of Newham, Newham, East London. It is sit ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

Personal life

Young is the elder sister of actress

. In February 2017,

Mikael Daez Mikael Banzon Daez (born January 6, 1988) is a Filipino commercial model, actor, news anchor, television and events presenter, and vlogger. Daez is well known for his starring role in '' Amaya'', a Philippine historical drama, alongside Maria ...

confirmed that he had been dating Young for six years, and the revelation was made after so long due to work commitments. On January 25, 2020, they announced their marriage.

Filmography

Television

Film

Music videos

Notes

References

External links

Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Young, Megan 1990 births Living people De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde alumni Filipino film actresses Filipino female models Female models from Virginia Filipino television actresses Actresses from Alexandria, Virginia Actresses from Zambales Miss World 2013 delegates Miss World Philippines winners Miss World winners Pinoy Big Brother contestants StarStruck (Philippine TV series) participants StarStruck (Philippine TV series) VJs (media personalities) GMA Network personalities