Michelle Dee says bashers are inevitable in beauty pageants

Michelle Dee, the newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023, said bashers are inevitable, especially in beauty pageants.

On Tuesday's episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," the King of Talk asked Michelle about her take on people bashing her online, saying that other queens deserved the crown.

"I just wish people [would] realize that we are sisters in pageantry, especially me and Pauline, we spent a whole year together because we were both in the same reigning queen batch," the 28-year-old beauty queen said.

"It's honestly inevitable because fans come in there supporting their bets, they come in there thinking that their rage or anger can change results, but it can't," she added.

Michelle also said that she encourages people to be kind and spread love instead of bashing.

"If ever we're in a position to make changes, let's just be kind [and] spread love. That's what I always tell my fans," she said.

A day after the coronation night, Michelle took to Twitter to collectively respond to the hate she has received since taking home the crown.

"This is definitely the reason why beauty queens should use their platform to lead by example (as we always say proudly on stage)," she wrote.

"Grateful that #mmdverse knows that I do not tolerate [cyberbullying] or hate speech of any kind. Proud of us," she added.

This is definitely the reason why beauty queens should use their platform to lead by example (as we always say proudly on stage). Grateful that #mmdverse knows that I do not tolerate cyber bullying or hate speech of any kind. Proud of us.

All love. ????

— mmd (@michellemdee) May 15, 2023

On the coronation night held last Saturday at SM Mall of Asia Arena, Michelle was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023.

Meanwhile, Pauline Amelinckx is Miss Supranational Philippines 2023, and Krishnah Gravidez is Miss Charm Philippines 2023.

—Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News