Michelle Dee, following the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, addressed a controversial video with the pageant’s owner, Anne Jakrajutatip, emphasizing the importance of respect towards fans. The video, which became viral, featured Jakrajutatip seemingly showing off Dee, leading to mixed reactions from pageant enthusiasts.
During her interview on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Dee expressed that while Jakrajutatip might not have had bad intentions, the execution of the video could have been more considerate of the fans’ sentiments. The video showed Jakrajutatip pulling Dee to her side, speaking to the audience in Thai, and then embracing Dee, calling her “Beautiful, very cool.”
This incident drew criticism from some Filipino fans who felt it was disrespectful to Dee, especially given their belief that she deserved a spot in the pageant finals. Dee, however, chose to see the positive side, stating her belief in being respectful to fans and seeing the best in everyone.
Despite the controversy, Dee concluded her Miss Universe journey in the Top 10, with Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua winning the title. Dee brought home multiple awards, including Voice for Change gold honoree and Best in National Costume, showcasing her remarkable presence in the pageant.