Four-year-old Arianah Kelsey Lasam winning the “Mini Ms. U 2023” crown may just be destiny at its finest.
At her young age, her journey has been through ups and downs in that her parents had trouble bearing a child, and her mom suffered from complications when she got pregnant with her and was therefore forced to quit her job for a safe pregnancy. It didn’t end there as Arianah got sickly after birth. She was once struck with a disease caused by low creatinine levels, causing her parents to fear for her life. When asked if she remembers her time in the hospital, little Arianah recalls the extreme vomiting and the pain of needles piercing through her skin.
That’s why her parents feel extra blessed seeing her healthy and active today. They related in this episode of “Tao Po” hosted by Bernadette Sembrano that Arianah is ‘bibo’ at home just as she is in front of the cameras, exactly what the veteran broadcast journalist witnessed when she visited the family’s house in Pampanga. She was also told that it was Arianah who suggested creating a vlog channel where she could showcase her talent.
Speaking of serendipity, Arianah’s journey in It’s Showtime’s “Mini Ms. U” may very well have not pushed through. According to her mom, they were invited for a face-to-face screening after sending an audition video online. But when they arrived at the ABS-CBN compound, they didn’t find Arianah’s name on the visitors list. It was a rainy afternoon. They were asked to stay in the waiting area but Arianah didn’t want to leave the gates until she was certain that she’s going in. The security personnel then assured her, “Relax ka lang. Huwag kang mag-alala. Ikaw naman ang makukuha.”
And like a manifestation, she won as Mini Ms. U semi-finalist on October 5. As she conquered the stage once more for the Grand Finals last October 28, Arianah warmed viewers’ hearts with her answer during the “Mini Mensahe” segment where she was asked for her message to Darna, and spread good vibes with her favorite line, “Yes, girl!” It was indeed a big ‘yes’ from the judges, who were deeply charmed by her bubbly personality.
Arianah didn’t feel pressured by her parents. All she was excited about at the time was seeing her favorite It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda. And to her proud mom and dad, just making it as a contestant was more than enough of an achievement. They only wish to guide Arianah as she builds her own dreams, saying that they’re still carefully looking into their next steps after her win, especially in terms of her talent management contract with Polaris-Star Magic.
For now, Arianah attends preschool, and her doting parents vow to support and guide her all the way.