Miss Universe PH 2023 Michelle Dee Backs Ahtisa Manalo for Miss Universe 2025: ‘She’s Beauty, Brains, and Heart All in One’

In an industry often mistaken for rivalry and competition, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee has once again proven that true queens rise by lifting others. The reigning queen made headlines this week after expressing her full support for Ahtisa Manalo, the country’s representative for Miss Universe 2025.

Her message wasn’t just kind — it was powerful. During a recent interview, Michelle spoke with poise and sincerity when asked about her thoughts on Ahtisa’s upcoming journey to the Miss Universe stage.

“I feel like she has an amazing chance,” Michelle said proudly. “She’s such a strong contender — beauty, brains, and heart all in one.”

Those words instantly went viral, earning Michelle widespread praise from fans, fellow beauty queens, and pageant communities around the world.

👑 A Sisterhood Beyond the Crown

The world of pageantry can often appear fiercely competitive, with each queen striving to leave her mark on the global stage. Yet Michelle’s heartfelt statement reminds everyone that the essence of true royalty lies not in rivalry, but in sisterhood and solidarity.

Ahtisa Manalo, who will represent the Philippines in Miss Universe 2025, is no stranger to the pageant world. Crowned Miss Universe Philippines – Quezon Province, she previously earned the title of Miss International 2018 First Runner-Up, where her calm elegance and youthful charm captivated audiences worldwide.

For Michelle to openly endorse Ahtisa speaks volumes about her character — one grounded in humility, grace, and genuine admiration for others.

“Michelle’s support for Ahtisa shows how the Miss Universe Philippines sisterhood is built on encouragement and empowerment,” said a fan on X (formerly Twitter). “This is what makes Filipina queens stand out — they celebrate each other’s strengths.”

💫 From One Queen to Another

Both Michelle and Ahtisa embody the modern Filipina — intelligent, compassionate, and driven. While Michelle has completed her reign as Miss Universe Philippines 2023, she continues to carry herself with the same elegance and purpose that made her a standout during last year’s Miss Universe competition in El Salvador.

She impressed the world not only with her striking beauty and confidence but also with her advocacy for autism awareness, a cause deeply rooted in her family’s story and her desire to use her platform for greater good.

Ahtisa, on the other hand, brings a refreshing mix of gentleness and quiet strength. With her calm demeanor and sharp intellect, she represents a different yet equally compelling kind of Filipina beauty — one that speaks softly but powerfully.

Michelle’s endorsement seems to bridge two generations of empowered women — one passing the torch to another with love and respect, rather than rivalry.

“What Michelle did was queen behavior,” said pageant analyst Norman Tinio. “She showed us that you can be confident in your own legacy while celebrating another woman’s potential. That’s what makes a true Miss Universe queen.”

💚 Breaking the Myth of Competition

The beauty pageant world has long been shadowed by the notion of competition and comparison. But time and again, Filipina queens like Michelle Dee have challenged that narrative.

By supporting Ahtisa, Michelle reinforces the truth that empowerment thrives when women stand together. Fans on social media praised her maturity and kindness, calling her “the epitome of grace.”

On Instagram, one fan commented: “Only a confident queen can uplift another queen. Michelle Dee’s support for Ahtisa is pure class.”

This moment isn’t just about a quote — it’s a cultural shift. It’s a reminder that pageantry, at its best, is not about who wears the crown, but how queens carry each other forward.

✨ The Power of Representation

Michelle Dee’s statement comes at a time when Filipino pageant fans are more united than ever in supporting the country’s delegates. With a strong track record and immense talent pool, the Philippines continues to be a powerhouse in the Miss Universe franchise.

Both Michelle and Ahtisa have shown that Filipina beauty is more than skin-deep — it’s intelligence, empathy, and resilience combined. Their friendship represents the evolution of pageantry in the Philippines: modern, inclusive, and inspiring.

Ahtisa herself expressed gratitude for Michelle’s words in a subtle yet heartfelt post on social media, writing:

“Thank you, Queen Michelle. Your support means so much. I’ll do my best to make our country proud.”

The post quickly gained thousands of likes, with fans commenting that seeing two queens support each other gave them “goosebumps” and “hope for a new golden era of sisterhood.”

🌍 The Legacy of Filipina Queens

Over the years, the Philippines has produced an extraordinary line of Miss Universe representatives — from Pia Wurtzbach’s strength, Catriona Gray’s artistry, to Michelle Dee’s intelligence and authenticity. Now, with Ahtisa stepping into the global spotlight, the legacy continues.

Michelle’s endorsement has added to that narrative of unity — showing that the crown may pass from one head to another, but the light shines brighter when shared.

“We’re not just beauty queens,” Michelle once said in a previous interview. “We’re storytellers, advocates, and symbols of hope for young women everywhere.”

That belief is exactly what she’s demonstrating now — the power of shared purpose, of lifting someone else without losing your own glow.

💖 Queens Supporting Queens

Fans and fellow beauty queens have since flooded social media with admiration for Michelle’s gracious gesture. Many described it as “the true definition of leadership” in the world of pageantry.

Former Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi commented, “So proud of you, Michelle. This is how real queens behave.”

Meanwhile, Catriona Gray, the country’s 2018 Miss Universe, liked the post — a small yet meaningful nod of support to both Michelle and Ahtisa.

Netizens even began tagging the moment as #QueensSupportingQueens — a phrase that has since become symbolic of the Miss Universe Philippines sisterhood.

🌠 A Future Built on Empowerment

As the excitement builds toward Miss Universe 2025, one thing is clear: the Philippines isn’t just sending a contender — it’s sending a legacy of unity, strength, and kindness.

Michelle Dee’s words have transcended pageantry, reminding the public that success is not a solo journey but a shared one.

In a world too often divided by comparison, her message shines like a crown of wisdom:

“True queens lift each other up.”

With that, Michelle Dee once again redefines what it means to be a modern Miss Universe queen — not just a symbol of beauty, but a beacon of grace, sisterhood, and empowerment.