There was no sugarcoating when Michelle Marquez Dee described how she cried backstage after not hearing her country’s name during the announcement of the 72nd Miss Universe Top 5.
While wearing the most genuine of smiles, she bares her true feelings about the pageant’s outcome, her friendship with Miss Thailand, and why there’s not even a micrometer of regret in her heart despite the result.
Michelle arrived at the Sparkle-organized Homecoming Media Conference on November 30, 2023 in a dazzling rose gold Mark Bumgarner piece, though it was her splendor and aura that’s authentically ‘MMD’ that made everybody’s jaws drop.
The Kapuso actress looks happy and content. It’s been days since she concluded her stint at Miss Universe 2023 with a Top 10 finish and four special awards: Spirit of Carnival Award, Best National Costume Award, Fan Vote Winner, and one of the three Gold Winners of the Voice for Change.
That’s nothing short of amazing.
STAYING POSITIVE
GMA host and sportscaster Martin Javier was quick to ask the first question as soon as MMD sat on her pink barrel chair. The dynamic host was curious how Michelle is able to eliminate the noise and just focus on her craft, to which the beauty queen’s immediate response was, “Walang iisang secret weapon - as long as you have a positive perspective and outlook, kayang-kaya mo ‘yan.”
Michelle does not seem to be living in the past. It appears that she has moved on. If anything, she’s the perfect epitome of being unbreakable and having such a strong resolve.
“My focus was to do my absolute best. Destiny calls, either for you or not. Of course masakit, but I’d rather enjoy the opportunities na dumarating sa akin ngayon,” Michelle says.
Despite all the sad and frowning faces ready to defend her after all things were said and done, MMD claimed with the strongest of convictions that she put up a good, strong fight and gave it her all, which she claimed are more than enough for her happiness and contentment.
“Nagbigay naman tayo ng malakas na laban. It’s really choosing to be happy. I gave my 200– 300 percent,” according to the 28-year old beauty queen.
‘UNAPOLOGETICALLY AUTHENTIC’
Michelle was then asked how she would compare herself now to her previous versions, like the MMD that won the Miss World Philippines title in 2019.
“Now, my goal is really just to shine authentically - unapologetically authentic. This is the person I am celebrating. I embraced my uniqueness, my story, and I made sure to bring along everyone in this journey para sama-sama nating ma-experience ang Ms. Universe,” said MMD on finally achieving her goal of being ‘unapologetically her.’
Dee wishes nothing but the best for the next Philippine bet at the Miss U stage. Her three-part advice to that future queen is simple yet resounding: know what you want, know who you are, and know how to engage with everyone.
“Be authentic. You have to know who you are and what you’re bringing onstage. You have to know your vision, and (in the process) bring the Filipino people along in that journey,” says MMD.
