Michelle Dee concludes Miss Universe journey with Top 10 finish and two awards

Michelle Dee concluded her journey in the Top 10 at the 72nd Miss Universe held in El Salvador, on Nov 19, Sunday (PHT). 

The Filipina beauty failed to make it to the next round of the competition that determines the remaining Top 5 for a question and answer portion. 

Before the Top 5 announcement, Michelle, along with the 10 other delegates, stunned the runway where she wore a beaded black dress by Mark Bumgarner—an ode to the country's oldest tattoo artist, Apo Whang-Od. 

Despite not progressing further to the competition, Michelle's semis comeback included her among the three gold medalists for the Voice for Change where she promoted her advocacy about autism awareness, inclusivity, and awareness.

She was also announced as the winner of the Carnival Spirit Award by Carnival Cruise Line before the evening gown presentation.

At the end of the journey, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios was crowned as Miss Universe following Antonnia Porsild of Thailand and Miss Australia Moraya Wilson as the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The award-winning actress from Makati City was crowned Miss Universe Philippines on May 13 after besting 37 other beauty queens.

In 2019, the devoted advocate and actress represented the country in the Miss World stage held in London, United Kingdom. Michelle's strong charisma and advocacy helped her bag the Beauty with a Purpose award, where she talked about growing up with two siblings with autism and its spectrum awareness.

Michelle is a 28-year-old beauty queen and army reservist who earned her Psychology degree from De La Salle University and an entrepreneur degree from Harvard Business School. She is the daughter of the Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez and a cousin of Reina Hispano Americana titlist Wynwyn Marquez.