Michelle Dee

Michelle Daniela Marquez Dee^[6] (born April 24, 1995) is a Filipino actress, athlete, model, TV presenter, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss World Philippines 2019.^[7][8] She represented the Philippines at the Miss World 2019 pageant in London, England on 14 December 2019 and finished as a Top 12 semifinalist.^[9][7]

Dee is the daughter of supermodel^[10][11] and Miss International 1979, Melanie Marquez.^[12][13]

Early life and education[]

Dee was born in Makati City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on April 24, 1995 to businessman Frederick "Derek" Dee and to actress, author,^[11] former supermodel,^[10][11] and Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez.^{[14][15][16][17]} Dee spent a considerable time of her childhood in their family ranch in Utah, the United States during summers and family vacations.^[17] She grew up loving farm animals and enjoying the countryside, both in Utah and in her family's hacienda (land and manor estate) in Mabalacat, Pampanga, the Philippines.^{[14][15][17][11]}

She attended the De La Salle University in Manila and graduated with a degree in psychology.^[1][18] Dee is an internationally signed model^[5] and an avid fan of photography.^{[14][15][16][17]} In her free time, she takes polaroid photos and rides her big bike. Dee is also an LGBTQIA+ rights advocate and champions autism awareness.^[14][15][17]

Causes[]

Growing up with two of her siblings diagnosed with autism, Dee has been an advocate for autism awareness and mental health education since she was sixteen (16) years old.^[19][20][21] This family circumstance is also one of the reasons why she decided to take up psychology at university.^[14][15][17] She has been working with the Center for Possibilities, Inc.,^[22] a foundation that helps and cares for children with special needs,^[19][20] and other organizations in spreading more information on autism, assisting those who have the developmental disability—especially the youngsters—and creating more awareness about autism and mental health.^{[14][15][17][16]}

In an interview after winning the Miss World Philippines 2019 competition, Dee revealed she is donating part of her prizes to individuals on the autism spectrum who are in need of medical care and other relevant assistance.^[23][24][25]

Dee also works with the Autism Society Philippines 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.^[26] She supports autism advocacy programs on art,^[27] hippo-therapy,^[28] and inclusive employment^[29] for those on the autism spectrum. She became the Goodwill Ambassador for the Autism Society Philippines in January 2020.

Pageantry[]

Miss World Philippines 2019[]

On 15 September 2019, Dee was crowned Miss World Philippines 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines.^[15] The finals night comprised competitions in swimwear, evening gown, and two question and answer rounds. She competed with and won over thirty-nine (39) other delegates, and was crowned by outgoing Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Sonja Rodriguez by the end of the event.^[16][17] During the competition, Dee was conferred six (6) special awards: Miss Sportswoman by FILA, Miss GCOX, Miss Best Skin by Cathy Valencia, Miss BENCH/, Miss Myra E, and Miss Bluewater Day Spa.^[15][17]

In the semifinal question and answer round, host Laura Lehmann asked Dee about the lessons and pieces of advice her mother, renowned top model and Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, gave her in her preparations for her first-ever beauty pageant competition. Dee replied:

"The most important advice my mom gave me was to be myself. I'm not here trying to replicate her, but I'm trying to shine as my own woman. In doing so I've learned how to be strong, how to be confident in myself, and to embrace every single part of my being. So thank you, Mom, and thank you to everyone who came tonight and for supporting me. It means a lot to me."^[30][31]

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:

"It would probably be polaroid films. I'm an avid lover of art. I love photography and I love the kind of energy and feel that polaroids give me; just being able to lay everything out and go down memory lane is such a different feeling. Polaroids give me such a vibrant and positive energy."^[30][32]

Miss World 2019[]

As Miss World Philippines 2019, Dee represented the Philippines in the Miss World 2019 competition at the ExCel Stadium in London, England, the United Kingdom on 14 December 2019.

During the preliminaries, Dee won both rounds of her group's Head to Head Challenge, earning her a spot in the Top 40 semifinalists. She also placed in the Top 40 of the Top Model competition, and Top 20 in Beauty with a Purpose.^[33][34][35]

During the finals night, Dee was called in the Top 40, and ultimately entered the Top 12 semifinals.^[36][37]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Television[]

Accolades[]

Awards and nominations[]

See also[]

• Miss World 2019
• Miss World Philippines
• Miss World Philippines 2019
• Megan Young
• Philippines at major beauty pageants

References[]

External links[]

• Michelle Dee on Instagram