Michelle Dee

Michelle Daniela Marquez Dee (; born April 24, 1995) is a Filipino actress, model, TV host, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2023 competition in El Salvador, where she placed in the Top 10 and won four special awards.

Dee previously won Miss World Philippines 2019. She represented the Philippines at the Miss World 2019 pageant in London, England, where she finished in the top 12.

Early life and education Michelle Daniela Marquez Dee was born in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 24, 1995, to businessman, film producer, and former actor Frederick "Derek" Dee, and to actress, author, former supermodel, and beauty queen Melanie Marquez, who won Miss International 1979. Through her father, Dee is a third-generation Chinese Filipino.

Her paternal grand-uncle was Chinabank founder Dee C. Chuan, who immigrated from China to the Philippines in 1901. Her grandfather Dee K. Chiong was a former Senior Vice President of Chinabank, while her paternal grandmother, heiress and philanthropist Regina Y. Dee, was the daughter of Yu Hung-chun, who served as premier of Taiwan. Former PBA player Joey Marquez is her maternal uncle. Dee's maternal cousin and Joey's daughter is an actress and fellow beauty queen Winwyn Marquez, who won Reina Hispanoamericana in 2017.

Dee has one sister, Maxine Dee, and four maternal half-siblings: Manuelito, the son of actor and senator Lito Lapid; Mazen, now 33, was diagnosed with autism, the son of her mother with Arab sheik partner; Abraham; and Adam, who was diagnosed with "delay syndrome, sons of her mother with husband Adam Lawyer. She spent a considerable time of her childhood in their family ranch in Utah, United States, during summers and family vacations. Dee grew up loving farm animals and enjoying the countryside, both in Utah and in her family's hacienda in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

She attended the De La Salle University in Manila and graduated with a degree in psychology.

Pageantry

Miss World Philippines 2019

On September 15, 2019, Dee was crowned Miss World Philippines 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines. The finals night comprised competitions in swimwear, evening gown, and two question and answer rounds. She competed with and won over thirty-nine other delegates, and was crowned by outgoing Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Sonja Rodriguez by the end of the event. During the competition, Dee won six special awards: Miss Sportswoman by Fila, Miss GCOX, Miss Best Skin by Cathy Valencia, Miss Bench, Miss Myra E, and Miss Bluewater Day Spa.

In the final question and answer round, Dee was asked which invention from the last century she would love to make a comeback. She answered:

Miss World 2019

As Miss World Philippines 2019, Dee represented the Philippines in the Miss World 2019 competition at ExCel in London, England on December 14, 2019. During the preliminaries, Dee won both rounds of her group's head-to-head challenge, reaching the top 40. She was also placed in the top 40 of the top model competition, and top 20 in Beauty With A Purpose. During the finals night, Dee was placed in the top 40, and eventually the top 12.

Miss Universe Philippines 2022

On April 6, 2022, she was announced as an official candidate for the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 pageant. At the end of coronation night, she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines Tourism 2022, second to the eventual winner, Celeste Cortesi.

Miss Universe Philippines 2023

On May 13, 2023, Dee won Miss Universe Philippines 2023. She also won Miss Aqua Boracay, Miss Pond's, Miss Zion Philippines, and the best in evening gown award. There were two question-and-answer rounds during the finals. In the first round, Dee was asked: “Income inequality is still high in the Philippines. The gap between the rich and the poor remains. How do we close the gap?” She responded:

In the second and final question and answer round, she was asked: "The Department of Tourism has adopted a new branding campaign : 'We Give the World Our Best.' For you, what is the best that we could offer to the rest of the world? Why do you consider it so?" Dee answered:

Miss Universe 2023

Dee represented the Philippines at Miss Universe 2023, held in El Salvador, where she finished as a top 10 finalist. She was also awarded four special awards: Spirit of Carnival Award, Best in National Costume, Fan Vote Winner, and Voice for Change Gold Winner, making her the most awarded candidate in the pageant’s history.

Causes and philanthropy Dee has been an advocate for autism awareness and mental health education since she was sixteen years old. She has been working with the Center for Possibilities Incorporation, a foundation that helps and cares for children with special needs, and other organizations in spreading more information on autism, assisting those who have the developmental disability, especially younger people, and creating more awareness about autism and mental health. After winning Miss World Philippines 2019, Dee donated part of her prize money to individuals on the autism spectrum who are in need of therapy.

Dee also works with the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) in bringing attention to the needs of individuals who are on the autism spectrum and their families, and improving access to intervention facilities and services, especially for those in the provincial areas. She supports autism advocacy programs on art, hippotherapy, and inclusive employment for those on the autism spectrum. She became the Goodwill Ambassador for the ASP in January 2020. Dee is also an advocate for LGBT rights in the Philippines. On May 30, 2024, Dee, for the first time explained why she earlier remained closeted due to venomous bashing. “I myself didn't actually plan to come out,” she lamented in an Instagram reel. Dee is now the Philippines' second bisexual Miss Universe Philippines after Beatrice Gomez. As an LGBT pride advocate, Dee aptly posted a message for everyone in the upcoming Pride Month: “come as they are.”

Modeling career Dee began modeling with the Bench clothing brand in 2016. She signed with Click Model Management in New York, after being scouted during a Bench photoshoot.

In February 2024, Dee was named Chinabank's ambassador, becoming the company's first endorser in a century; notably, her family was the founder of the company despite no longer being its owner.

Military Dee is a reservist of Philippine Air Force with the rank of Sergeant. In 2023, she underwent and completed Basic Citizen Military Training under Philippine Air Force Reserve.

Personal life In May 2023, Dee came out as bisexual in an interview with Mega Magazine. She currently lives with actress and model Rhian Ramos.

On May 1, 2024, Dee got her arm tattooed by Whang-od with her three dots signature. Then, she playfully “crowned” Apo Whang Od, "beauty queen", while the latter signed Michelle’s tattoo-inspired Mark Bumgarner long black gown sketch inspired by her. Dee bestowed upon Whang-od a jersey with text “Filipinas 2023” in front, and “MMD” printed in the back.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Ref. 2019 Because I Love You Gianna 2023 Keys to the Heart Annette Marie Labayen 2024G! LU

Television

Accolades Awards and nominations Year Award Category Recipient(s) Results Source 2019 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television Best New Female TV Personality Michelle Dee on Love You Two (GMA Network) Best Lifestyle Show Host Michelle Dee with Winwyn Marquez and Thia Thomalla Best Lifestyle Show Glow Up with Michelle Dee as host 2021 36th PMPC Star Awards for MoviesBest New Movie Actress As Gianna in Because I Love You (2019)