PIA Wurtzbach believes Michelle Dee has a chance to win the Miss Universe 2023 crown, although she reminded the crossover stunner to be firm with her vision and to not pay attention to comments on social media.
Wurtzbach spoke about Dee’s “queenly” traits on the sidelines of her “Queen of the Universe” huddle, while stating that the latter is a beauty queen who is “clear about her vision” and “knows what she wants.”
“We’re ready,” she said. “What I love about Michelle and I’ve mentioned that before, she’s clear about her vision. She knows what she wants. But she says it in a sweet and gentle way [which] is very queenly.”
The Miss Universe 2015 titleholder then noted that Dee is “firm” in her vision and that she knows what kind of approach to take in the global tilt. “You need someone who is firm in her stance on things.”
“She knows na that she wants this type of hair. She knows her advocacy,” she continued. “She knows what she wants to talk about. She knows what styling to go for, and I appreciate that in a winner.”
Wurtzbach, who disclosed that she will have a “moment to speak to [Dee] in private,” wants the beauty queen to savor her experience and to “stick” to her strategy.
“And when it comes to social media, people are going to be waiting for updates. People are going to be looking for updates. Plan that,” she said. “But don’t read the comments.”
While laughing, the former beauty queen stressed that while it’s “tempting” to pay attention to comments, it’s more important to focus on what matters.
During the interview, Wurtzbach declared that the Philippines has a huge “fighting chance” to win the Miss Universe 2023 title.
“I’m actually gonna have a moment to speak to [Michelle Dee] in private and nang mas matagal (for a longer time) this weekend,” she said. “I’m preparing the notes that she needs to remember, just the trivial things so she can have a nice routine because I think they’re going to be there for a few weeks.”
Wurtzbach is the third Filipina to win the Miss Universe title, in 2015, after Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margarita Moran in 1973. Meanwhile, Catriona Gray also won the coveted title in 2018.
Dee will represent the Philippines in the 2023 edition of the global tilt in El Salvador on Nov. 18. (Hannah Mallorca © Philippine Daily Inqurier)