Catriona Gray, Michelle Dee and Pia Wurtzbach. Image: Instagram/@catriona_gray; screengrab from YouTube/Miss Universe; Instagram/@piawurtzbach
Catriona Gray and Pia Wurtzbach were among those who were in awe of Michelle Dee after the latter delivered an astounding performance at the 2023 Miss Universe preliminary competition.
Gray and Wurtzbach, who won the Miss Universe crown in 2018 and 2015, respectively, took to the comments section of Dee’s Instagram page to commend the Philippines’ Miss Universe 2023 bet.
“Such a solid prelims performance! Alam na this,” Gray said, adding in a separate post that Dee’s “hard work is showing.”
Wurtzbach, for her part, applauded Dee by sending cheering images and emoji.
Image: Instagram/@michelledee
Image: Instagram/@catriona_gray
Image: Instagram/@michelledee
The Miss Philippines Pauline Amelinckx also expressed her admiration for Dee for making a statement in the evening gown competition with her deep green cut-out Mark Bumgarner gown embellished with Swarovski crystals.
“No words, just a whole lotta admiration. You got this,” Amelinckx addressed the actress-beauty queen.
Also generous with praises for Dee were Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez, and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 second runner-up Angelique Manto.
“Guys, this is only the prelims gown and it’s already WOWW. I’m excited for the finals,” Rodriguez exclaimed.
Image: Instagram/@michelledee
Image: Instagram/@michelledee
Image: Instagram/@michelledee
Image: Instagram/@michelledee
The preliminary competition was held in El Salvador on Nov. 15 (Nov. 16 in the Philippines). The national costume show, meanwhile, is scheduled on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in the Philippines).
The 2023 Miss Universe coronation night, where reigning queen R’Bonney Gabriel will crown her successor from the 84 delegates, will take place on Nov. 18 (Nov. 19 in the Philippines). Gray was earlier announced as one of the backstage correspondents at the event.