Michelle Dee
Michelle Dee is a multi-hyphenate queen, celebrated for her intelligence, elegance, and modern approach to leadership. As the daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, Michelle carries a powerful legacy but has carved her own path as a world-class beauty queen, LGBTQ+ ally, mental health advocate, and actress.
Her strong presence at Miss Universe 2023, where she finished in the Top 10, earned global praise for her purposeful messaging, magnetic stage presence, and instantly iconic jet-black MUPH look with the green cape highlighting autism awareness.
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Pageant Journey
- Miss Universe Philippines 2023 & 2024
- Crowned twice one of the rare Filipinas to win back-to-back national titles.
- Represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador, finishing Top 10.
- Known for her:
Fierce runway skills
Elegant, powerful aura
Consistent advocacy for inclusivity
- Viral airplane-themed National Costume and the “Mahal Kita” national tattoo moment
Miss World Philippines 2019
- Represented the Philippines at Miss World 2019, finishing Top 12.
Acting & Hosting Career
A Sparkle GMA artist, Michelle has starred in:
- Mga Lihim ni Urduja (2023)
- I Left My Heart in Sorsogon (2021)
- Agimat ng Agila (2021)
- Love You Stranger (2022) notable performance
She also hosts events, lifestyle shows, and appears in global fashion editorials.
Advocacy & Purpose
Michelle’s core advocacy is autism awareness and mental health, inspired by her brothers who are on the spectrum. She works with organizations like:
- Autism Society Philippines
- Global Autism Project
- Mental health communities and youth support groups
Her green cape at Miss Universe symbolized inclusion, acceptance, and empowerment.
Education
- Degree in Psychology De La Salle University
- Completed courses in Harvard Online, focusing on leadership and development
- Strong analytical and communication background
Fun Facts
- Daughter of beauty queen icon Melanie Marquez, but proudly built her own legacy.
- A trained pilot aviation is one of her passions.
- Black belt in Taekwondo.
- Loves motorsports, fitness, and traveling.
- One of the most fashion-forward MUPH winners known for bold, edgy styling.
Recognition
- Top 10 Miss Universe 2023
- Recognized globally for her strong advocacy messaging and polished performance
- Featured in Vogue Philippines, MEGA, Preview, L’Officiel, and Harper’s Bazaar
- Social media personality with major brand endorsements
Legacy
Michelle Dee represents the modern Filipina queen empowered, intelligent, compassionate, and unapologetically herself.
Her reign emphasizes purpose-driven pageantry where representation, inclusivity, and mental health matter just as much as beauty and performance. She stands as a voice for the underrepresented, proving that crowns shine brightest when worn with meaning.
Michelle’s impact extends far beyond the Miss Universe stage she is redefining what it means to be a Filipina icon in the global era.