Michelle Dee credits mom Melanie Marquez for her superb performance in Miss Universe 2023

Michelle Dee credited her mother, Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, for her superb performance in Miss Universe 2023.

On Monday's episode of "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda," Michelle she was at her calmest during the preliminaries and the coronation night.

Tito Boy also said that Michelle had a different energy during the competition.

"Sinapian po ako ni Melanie Marquez," Michelle quipped.

She also gave a shoutout to the creative team of Filipino fashion designer Mark Bumgarner who conceptualized her iconic black evening gown inspired by the Philippines' last Mambabatok Apo Whang-Od.

"I said so many times that this gown is iconic, and I hope it really is and it truly is," she said. 

Michelle admitted that she was nervous during the Top 10 announcement as not advancing in the Top 10 would lose her the chance to showcase her gown.

"In my head how will I be releasing this gown if hindi ako natawag? And that is a gown worth celebrating in the Miss Universe stage," she said.

Michelle's black evening gown made rounds on social media for its uniqueness and cultural representation.

It also caught the eye of Harper's Bazaar Arabia, saying that it was among the 10 best fashion moments of the pageant, just behind the winner, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios' white and blue number.

Michelle ended her Miss Universe 2023 journey in the Top 10. She also took home four special awards, including the pageant's "Voice For Change" video competition and Best in National Costume.

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News