| Birth name | Megan Lynne Talde Young |
|---|---|
| Birth date | February 27, 1990 (age 36) |
| Birth place | Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
| Citizenship | United States · Philippines[1] |
| Alma mater | Trinity University of Asia De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (BA) |
| Occupation | Actress · television host · model · beauty queen · video jockey |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Spouse | Mikael Daez (m. January 25, 2020) |
| Hair color | Dark brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Title | Miss World Philippines 2013 Miss World 2013 |
| Competitions | Miss World Philippines 2013 (Winner) Miss World 2013 (Winner) (Top Model) (Miss World Asia) |
Megan Lynne Talde Young-Daez (mˈɛɡən jˈaŋ dˈɑːʔˈez; née Young; born February 27, 1990) is a Filipino actress, model, and beauty queen who won Miss World 2013.[2][3][4][5] She is the first delegate from the Philippines and Southeast Asia to win Miss World.[5]
She was previously crowned Miss World Philippines 2013.[6] Young started her entertainment career as a contestant on the reality television show StarStruck (2004–2005).[7]
Early life and education
Megan Lynne Talde Young was born on February 27, 1990, in Alexandria, Virginia[8] to Filipino and American parents Victoria Talde from Pandan, Antique, and Calvin Cole Young III from Richmond.[9]
Young's family moved to Castillejos, Zambales when she was 10. She received secondary education at the Regional Science High School III within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo City from 2002 to 2005, before moving to Metro Manila to pursue her acting career. Young holds a degree in filmmaking from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Career
2004–07: Early acting career in GMA
Young entered the entertainment industry by joining the second season of the talent reality search StarStruck,[10] where she placed in the top six. Her acting debut in GMA was in Love to Love Presents: Love Ko Urok, where she played the role of Meg. She then played the role of Anna in Asian Treasures and the role of a fairy in Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang.
2007–15: Transfer to ABS-CBN and TV5
After more than two years with GMA Artist Center, she moved to ABS-CBN following her sister, Lauren Young. 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" Astigs and Abt Ur Luv. She also played the role of Shane in Kokey, opposite Zanjoe Marudo. 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".[11][12] After PBB, she portrayed the villain Marcela in ABS-CBN's remake of I Love Betty La Fea opposite John Lloyd Cruz. In 2009, she was one of four personalities introduced as video jockeys for the relaunching of Channel [V] Philippines.[13] Young also became an occasional host in several shows in Studio 23. 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.[13] Young was nominated as Outstanding Guest Star on Dahsyatnya Awards 2014.[14]
2015–present: Return to GMA Network
In March 2015, Young returned to GMA Network after four years of exclusive contract with ABS-CBN.[15] Her comeback project in the Kapuso Network is the most anticipated second adaptation of the hit Mexicanovela MariMar[16][17] where she plays the title role. She is paired with Tom Rodriguez who plays the role of her love interest Sergio.[18][19] Her sister Lauren Young 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.
Young is also one of the hosts in the sixth edition of the reality talent search Starstruck which launched her career as an artist.[20] She's working alongside Dingdong Dantes as main host, and her co-Starstruck alumni Mark Herras, Rocco Nacino, Miguel Tanfelix, and Kris Bernal, who serve as journey hosts. The show premiered on September 7, 2015.
Pageantry
Miss World Philippines 2013
She was crowned Miss World Philippines 2013 during the pageant coronation night on August 18, 2013.[21] She also bagged the Best in Fashion Runway, Miss Sports by Fila, Miss Reducin, Miss Olay, Miss Laguna, Miss Figlia and Miss Bench Body awards.[22]
On October 12, 2014, Young crowned Valerie Weigmann as her successor at the Miss World Philippines 2014 pageant held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Philippines.[23][24]
Miss World 2013
Young was crowned as Miss World 2013 in Bali, Indonesia, making her the first Filipina to win the title of Miss World since its creation in 1951.[5] 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.[5]
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:
I treasure a core value of humanity and that guides people why they act the way they do. I will use this to show other people how they can understand each other. … as one, we can help society.
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.[25]
As Miss World 2013, Young traveled to and visited several countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, United States, Haiti, Indonesia, Barbados, Colombia, Russia, India, Vietnam, Ukraine, Timor-Leste, Madagascar, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Argentina, Cuba, Peru, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, China, South Korea, Japan, and her home country of the Philippines. Young crowned Rolene Strauss as her successor at the Miss World 2014 pageant held at the ExCeL London in London, United Kingdom on December 14, 2014.[26]
Subsequent events
Young co-hosted the Miss World 2023 pageant held in Mumbai, India on March 9, 2024, which was won by Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic. During the final round, Young was seen fixing the hair of Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo, prompting her to apologize publicly after she was accused of invading personal space and cultural insensitivity.[27]
Personal life
Young is the elder sister of actress and model Lauren Young.[28]
In February 2017, Mikael Daez confirmed that he had been dating Young for six years.[29] On January 25, 2020, they announced their marriage.[30] Their first child, a boy named León,[31] was born in 2025.[32]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | StarStruck II | Herself – Contestant | [10] | |
| 2005 | Love to Love | Meg | Episode: "Love Ko Urok" | |
| 2005–06 | Fans Kita | Herself – Host | ||
| 2007 | Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang | Fairy | Episode: "Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Hari" | |
| Asian Treasures | Anna | |||
| Kokey | Shane | |||
| Star Magic Presents: Astigs | Janine | |||
| Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur Luv, Ur Lyf 2 | Honey | |||
| 2008–09 | I Love Betty La Fea | Marcella Valencia | [7] | |
| 2008 | Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition | Herself – Contestant | [11][12] | |
| 2009 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Ermie | Episode: "Bench" | |
| Young Etrona | Episode: "Singsing" | |||
| 2009–12 | Channel V Philippines | Herself – VJ | [13] | |
| 2010 | 5 Star Specials | Various | ||
| ASAP XV | Herself – Host | |||
| Rubi | Sophia Cardenas | [7] | ||
| M3: Malay Mo Ma-develop | Bea Cornejo | |||
| Girlista | Herself – Host | |||
| 2011 | Us Girls | |||
| It's Showtime | Herself – Judge | |||
| Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Mana Po | Winnie | |||
| ASAP Rocks | Herself – Host | |||
| 2012 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Hiyas | Sapphire Salvador | ||
| ASAP 2012 | Herself – Host | |||
| 2012–13 | A Beautiful Affair | Ava Pierro | ||
| 2013 | ASAP 18 | Herself – Host | ||
| Misibis Bay | Lara Borromeo | [7] | ||
| Never Say Goodbye | Vera Maglungsod / Vera Pendleton | |||
| 2015 | Dangwa | Jane Imperial | ||
| Vampire ang Daddy Ko | MariMar Pérez-Santibañez | [15][17] | ||
| StarStruck VI | Herself – Host | [20] | ||
| 2015–16 | Marimar | MariMar Pérez-Santibañez / Bella Aldama | [16][18][19] | |
| 2016 | Conan, My Beautician | Ava | ||
| Alyas Robin Hood | Sarita "Sarri" Acosta | [33] | ||
| 2017 | Magpakailanman | Sel | ||
| Dear Uge: Di Na 'Ko Aasa Pang Muli | Pauline | |||
| Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko | Drizella | Episode: "Cinderella" | [15] | |
| 2018 | Dear Uge: Bagong Bahay Bagong Away | Grace | ||
| The Stepdaughters | Mayumi Dela Rosa-Almeda | |||
| 2019 | Dear Uge: Kapatid Ko, Karibal Ko | Norma | ||
| Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko | Yvette "Yvie" Cardenas-Divinagracia | |||
| 2022 | The Best Ka! | Herself – Host | ||
| Running Man Philippines | Guest Runner | Episode: "Mukbang Bingo Race" | ||
| 2023 | Royal Blood | Diana Royales |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Say That You Love Me | Anna | ||
| 2009 | Pangarap Kong Jackpot | Eula | ||
| Shake, Rattle & Roll XI | Lucia Castiliano | Segment: "Ukay-Ukay" | [11][12] | |
| 2010 | Astro Mayabang | |||
| White House | Mikey Trinidad | |||
| Sigwa | Dolly | Cameo | ||
| Babe, I Love You | Gaita Veneracion Borromeo | [34] | ||
| 2011 | Enteng Ng Ina Mo | Ina Azul | ||
| Won't Last A Day Without You | Melissa | |||
| 2012 | The Reunion | Antonia "Tonyang" Castro | [13] | |
| 2013 | Bang Bang Alley | Abbey | [35][15] | |
| 2017 | Our Mighty Yaya | Monique |
Music videos
| Year | Song title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Nagmamahal ng Tunay" | Piolo Pascual |
| 2012 | "AMATS" | Rico Blanco |
References
- ^ Mandap, Anthony (September 24, 2020). "Dual citizenship: all 'pros' and no 'cons'". The Philippine Times. Archived February 27, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
Fil-foreigner beauty queens, such as Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, Venus Raj or Megan Young, got their tickets to participate in beauty pageants and represent the Philippines also through dual citizenship.
- ^ "Miss Philippines Megan Young crowned as Miss World 2013". BIHARPRABHA. September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ^ "Miss Philippines crowned the new Miss World". CNN. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ^ "Megan Young crowned Miss World 2013". GMA News. GMA Network. September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ^ "Megan Young crowned Miss World 2013". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ^ "Megan Young is Miss World PH 2013". ABS-CBN News. August 19, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ^ "MEGAN YOUNG". Star Magic. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ^ Chelo Aestrid (September 29, 2013). "Miss World Megan Young – Get To Know Her [Video]". Las Vegas Guardian Express. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
- ^ Ira Agting (September 29, 2013). "8 fun facts about Megan Young". Rappler. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ Ed Uy (August 24, 2013). "Her time, her throne". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ^ Tinna S. Bonifacio (January 2009). "Young, but not restless". JobsDB.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ "Megan Young enjoys playing Kontrabida roles". ABS-CBN News. December 23, 2011.
- ^ Vittorio Hernandez (September 29, 2013). "Miss World 2013: A Look Back at Megan Young from Starstruck to Most Beautiful Woman in the World (VIDEOS & PHOTOS)". International Business Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
- ^ Dahsyatnya-Awards-2014
- ^ "Megan Young returns to GMA; signs exclusive contract". GMANetwork.com. February 3, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ "Tom Rodriguez on Being Chosen to Play Sergio in New Mari Mar: "It Felt so Unreal"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. June 24, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ Rula, Gorgy (June 24, 2015). "Megan Young and Tom Rodriguez Star in Marimar Remake; Expect Comparison with Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
- ^ "It's official: Megan Young is 'Marimar'". GMA News. February 3, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ "Megan Young as Marimar". GMA News. August 5, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ "Megan Young back with GMA 7 to host 'Starstruck'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 31, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
- ^ "Megan Young is Miss World PH 2013". ABS-CBN News. August 18, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ "WINNERS: Miss World Philippines 2013". Rappler. August 18, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ "Valerie Weigmann wins Miss World Philippines 2014". Rappler. October 12, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ "Model and TV host Valerie Weigmann crowned new Miss World Philippines". Inquirer Lifestyle. October 12, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ Joyce Burton-Titular (October 1, 2013). "From Vivien to Megan: The PH in Miss World history". Rappler. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
- ^ Grinberg, Emanuella (December 14, 2014). "Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss crowned Miss World 2014". CNN. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ "Megan Young apologizes for fixing Miss Botswana's hair on Miss World stage". GMA News. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ "Lauren Young says sister Megan will be the best mom because 'at one point you were also mine'". GMA News. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ "Mikael Daez confirms relationship with Megan Young". Rappler. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ "Megan Young ties the knot with Mikael Daez". cnn. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ Editorial Circle, GMA Integrated News. "Megan Young, Mikael Daez gear up for future travels with son Leon". GMA Lifestyle. GMA News. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ "Megan Young, isinilang na ang first baby nila ni Mikael Daez". GMA News. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ "ICYMI: The Megan Young-Andrea Torres bikini showdown". PEP.ph. April 19, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ^ Orosa, Rosalinda L. (March 29, 2010). "Sam, Anne Team up in Babe, I Love You". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ Simi John (September 28, 2013). "Miss World 2013: Miss Philippines Megan Young Crowned Winner". International Business Times. Retrieved September 28, 2013.