Young was born in Alexandria, Virginia to a Filipino mother and American father. Her parents are Victoria (née Talde) and Calvin Young.She moved to Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippinesat age ten. She attended secondary education in Regional Science High School III in Subic Bay Freeport Zone from 2002 to 2005 before moving to Manila to pursue her acting career. She is currently taking AB Digital Filmmaking at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Manila.
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.During the preliminaries, she also won the "Top Model" competition, placed fourth in the "Multimedia Challenge" and fifth in the "Beach Beauty" contest.
Young also received the Continental Queen of Beauty title as Miss World Asia 2013, the highest ranked contestant in the Asian region.
As Miss World 2013, Young will be based in England for her activities. She has so far travelled to France,[18] the Philippines, United States, Haiti and China.
Young is expected to visit 40 countries for charity work after her brief stay in the Philippines for the Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts.