Carrying large suitcases, over 70 outfits and a brave heart, Michelle Dee is ready to conquer the universe and win the fifth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines.
The country's bet for the most storied beauty pageant in the world landed safely in Los Angeles before heading to El Salvador just in time for the 72nd Miss Universe competition. The country's bet for the most storied beauty pageant in the world landed safely in Los Angeles before heading to El Salvador just in time for the 72nd Miss Universe competition.
As a way of showing support for Dee, the MUPH organization shared photos of the beauty queen on her departure on 31 October, looking stunning in a dark denim dress as she proudly held the Philippine flag.
"And, she's off to conquer the Universe! You bring the good will and well-wishes of the Philippines with you, Michelle," the caption read, encouraging all supporters and pageant fans to cast their votes through the Miss Universe website or app.
The organization also shared photos of Dee arriving in Los Angeles on 1 November: "Miss Universe Philippines in the City of Angels! Michelle Marquez Dee, looking fresh and refreshed, lands in Los Angeles on her way to the #72ndMissUniverse in El Salvador! She is accompanied on her date with destiny by the Miss Universe Philippines and EmpirePh Teams."
The Filipina actress and beauty queen also took to Instagram on 1 November to express her gratitude for everyone who has been lending support in her quest for the Miss Universe crown.
Prior to her Miss Universe journey, Dee was crowned Miss World Philippines in 2019 and secured the top 12 as she represented the country at the Miss World 2019 in London. In 2022, she finished second when Celeste Cortesi emerged the winner of the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 pageant
The 28-year-old beauty queen, a Goodwill Ambassador of the Autism Society of the Philippines since 2020, champions autism awareness as her advocacy.
The Philippines has had four Miss Universe queens so far: Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973, Pia Wurtzbach in 2015 and Catriona Gray in 2018.
The Miss Universe 2023 pageant will be hosted in El Salvador on 18 November.
