MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Filipino fans are outraged that Michelle Dee didn’t make the top 5, calling this year’s pageant a “cooking show.”

In May of 2023, Michelle Dee was crowned Miss Universe Philippines, and numerous fans debated if her victory in the national pageant was deserved. 

Filipino fans rallied behind their representative in the months leading up to the 72nd Miss Universe pageant this year. On Sunday’s competition, where Dee didn’t make the top 5, fans showed anger and didn’t hold back on social media, saying that the pageant was “cooked”. 

An instagram story from the official Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador mentioned the Philippines included at the top but was then replaced by Thailand. The story is now taken down. If Michelle Dee won this year’s pageant, she would’ve bagged the fifth Miss Universe crown for the country.

Trending keywords for this year’s pageant included “top 10”, “cooking show,” and more.

Image source: https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/pageants/filipinos-online-reactions-michelle-dee-miss-universe-run-2023/

According to fans, Dee had one of the strongest platforms, especially with her “Voice for Change” domination. Furthermore, pageant fans praised the Filipina beauty queen for her exquisite performance in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, especially the evening gown preliminary competition.

Moreover, fans pointed out on social media that Michelle Dee has a certain charisma that lures viewers in and her elegance in her sense of style. A user on Reddit said, “Her outfits are one-of-a-kind, and on an array of beautiful women in Miss U, she is a standout in every photoshoot. She’s not a bombshell you would admire at first glance, but the eloquence and the smarts she brings to the table is on a different level.

Her advocacy is strong, too, backed by personal struggles, especially since she has autistic siblings. 

What went wrong here? Her dedication is unparalleled in every aspect of the pageant. I stan her so much, and it’s just so sad she failed to make it to the top 5.”

Other Filipino fans agreed with the original Reddit poster and replied in the comments.  

Image source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/comments/17yrxr8/comment/k9va2yz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Other Redditors also contradicted the original poster’s post.

Image source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/comments/17yrxr8/comment/k9vjvv3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Sources: (1), (2)

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Also Read: Michelle Dee Falls Short of Top 5 in Miss Universe 2023