“I am who I am,” Michelle Dee proudly says
Just in time for pride month, newly crowned Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee has come out as bisexual—an “open secret” she revealed for Mega Magazine’s special release on Monday, May 29.
“I definitely identify myself as bisexual. I’ve identified with that for as long as I can remember. I’m attracted to all forms of beauty, all shapes and sizes,” Michelle shares in confirmation of her sexual orientation.
According to Michelle, being around open-minded figures in their household while growing up has a huge impact on her.
“My mom would say, ‘O, anak, when I was young, I had five girlfriends.’ She’d tease me sometimes because I had a very boyish demeanor,” she remarks while recalling distant memories with her mother, Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez.
Michelle also shares that while she’s into sports, her sister did ballet—polar opposite activities that allowed them to appreciate the concepts of “pogi [and] maganda.”
For the beauty queen, the road out of the closet did not seem taxing at all, thanks to her parents’ leniency and support.
“I was getting positive feedback by just being myself. I never had to identify myself. I never had to quote, unquote come out. I was never really confronted about it by my parents or people who matter.”
READ ALSO: Pia Wurtzbach Backs Michelle Dee’s Win With Words Of Wisdom
Michelle Dee opts out of confession during the Miss Universe Philippines
The revelation came after Michelle’s Miss Universe feat was flagged by bashing, with people digging up her old masculine photos to propagate spiteful intent.
“I acknowledge that it was so malicious that I felt—and this applies to everyone—when somebody takes away your story, then you should take control of that narrative. Turn it around and make it an empowering story,” she says.
While she was advised to come out during the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, Michelle deemed it unnecessary and misfitting.
“This is not about me. This is about the cause I’m fighting, advocating for: autism awareness. That’s my main goal.
“My identity is not what I want to be remembered for. I felt like coming out during the competition would shock everyone and cloud everyone’s judgment,” she shares.
“I also wanted to do that within my own timeline, and it wasn’t the right time. Because I want all of my focus and everyone’s focus to be on all the good causes,” she adds.
Michelle Dee is the second openly bisexual Miss Universe Philippines, next to Beatrice Luigi Gomez who won the title in 2021.
Michelle was crowned on May 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena as this year’s official delegate for the Miss Universe competition in El Salvador.
READ ALSO: Michelle Dee Of Makati City Is Miss Universe Philippines 2023
