Michelle Dee opens up on her difficult childhood, reveals she experienced racism in the US

Miss Universe Philippines 2023 hopeful Michelle Dee opened up about her childhood on "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda."

The revelation came when Tito Boy asked her what she felt she did right and wrong in the pageant last year.

"Last year kasi, I really feel na I fell short sa relatability ko," the Kapuso celebrity began. "'Di ko na-share ang stories and struggles ko, and kung bakit ako matapang o bakit ako strong like my mom."

According to Michelle, she really needs people to see "that I'm not as privileged as people think that I am" and that she actually had a hard childhood.

She continued, "My mom [Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez] and my dad had a rough marriage so, kaya kami lumipat sa States is to get away from that drama. That's why I grew up in the States 'cause my mom wanted to protect us from the noise."

"But, of course, since it's marriage, lagi nag-away 'yung mom ko, my stepdad, and I actually grew up with parent figures or people around me that would criticize every move that I make."

Michelle revealed also having experienced racism as "me and my sister were the only two Asians in Utah." 

"We lived in a very small paper town in Utah. So, they didn't really understand Asian culture — bakit ako — why do I have values, why do I say prayers, why do I have these routines of, you know, I love eating with my hands growing up."

"Nobody understood the culture," she added.

"And then, to top that off, I grew up with two autistic siblings so medyo 'Addams Family' 'yung atake," she shared.

Michelle revealed the bullying became physical, but "not as far as being beaten up."

On the show, the Kapuso beauty queen revealed having gone through a tough year last year, as both her parents got into accidents.

That's why her mom is in the States, Michelle explained, "taking a break."

Michelle can next be seen on the upcoming mega series "Mga Lihim ni Urduja" on GMA starting February 27. — LA, GMA Integrated News