Michelle Dee answers: Can body positivity coexist with cosmetic enhancements?

The body positivity movement has become popular in recent years. It’s about loving all body types and appearances and accepting each individual’s unique characteristics, including the “flaws” society perceives.

Recent years have also seen a rise in acceptance of cosmetic enhancements and plastic surgeries, which used to be a taboo or something people hid or denied back in the day.

So, in this generation of “being woke,” is there a midpoint where body positivity and cosmetic enhancements can coexist?

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee gave her two cents on the topic, saying right off the bat that the body positivity movement and undergoing cosmetic enhancements both benefit building confidence.

“It’s all about making choices that make you feel good about yourself,” the Sparkle beauty queen said in a chat interview.

“Body positivity is about loving yourself and doing what makes you happy,” she added.

Michelle also said that today’s technologies are “game changers for women,” not just for body enhancements but also for education.

“From online learning platforms to social media, women have more ways to educate themselves, share their stories, and connect with others than ever before,” she said.

“It’s about harnessing these tools to support each other, grow our careers, and break barriers," she added.

On Michelle’s Instagram broadcast channel, the beauty queen opened up about struggling with weight loss due to hormonal imbalance despite her balanced diet and regular exercise.

Because of this, Michelle shared that she did a couple of Belo treatments to achieve her weight goal and figure, especially during the Miss Universe 2023 competition.

“If getting a treatment like Thermage FLX boosts your confidence and helps you feel more like yourself, that’s totally valid,” she said, adding that there should be no shame in taking advantage of today’s cosmetic technologies, especially if it could help you for the better. “What I love about it is it already works with what God has given me. It’s just amplifying those things that I need a little help with.”

Michelle is the cover girl of L’Officiel Philippines' Pride Month issue. She came out as bisexual last year after being crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2023.

Last month, Michelle passed on the Miss Universe Philippines title to Bulacan's Chelsea Manalo. —JCB, GMA Integrated News