PorDee: Miss Universe Thailand Anntonia Porsild (left) and Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
MANILA, Philippines—Miss Universe Thailand Anntonia Porsild and Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee hope that the friendship they forged during the international competition, anointed by their followers as “PorDee,” will help encourage a more positive atmosphere among pageant fans.
International pageantry seeks to foster what is good and promote harmony among nations and its citizens. But it has also served as a platform for toxicity, with passionate supporters of delegates engaged in an online exchange of negativity. And the two beauty queens appealed to the public to hold back on the vitriol.
“I am a strong believer of leading by example. And I think that, actually, PorDee is the best example to explain the situation. Because it comes from two countries that are always fighting each other, always nitpicking at each other on who’s better,” Porsild, who finished as first runner-up in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant, addressed INQUIRER.net at a press conference held at Kao Manila at the Newport Mall in Pasay City on Jan. 30.
Dee, who finished in the Top 10 of the global tilt, agreed. “PorDee represents an amazing friendship. It really sets the standards on how we can really come together, unite as two pageant powerhouse countries that are constantly at war, constantly spreading negativity. And just by leading through example, we’ve been able to create a really nice community that fosters what we also try to teach,” she said.
Porsild said a bond similar to theirs, which resulted in an international fandom, has the potential in other countries as well, and to transcend even beyond pageantry. “It needs to come from a good place. And you need to be able to spread that kindness, let people feel influenced to do the same thing,” she explained.
Dee chimed in and said, “I also do believe that you become who you surround yourself with. So, we just have to be more cautious with the kind of influence that we have around us. Let’s try to make sure that we surround ourselves with other people [who] also believe in that mantra—if you have nothing nice to say, just don’t say anything at all.”
The Thai beauty, for her part, said, “It is our own responsibility to use our platform in the positive space to spread positivity and respect to other people. It all really is leading by example. Everyone has an inspiration as someone [who] they admire. And … we have the platform such as Miss Universe, Miss Universe Philippines and Miss Universe Thailand to embrace those things and really foster those types of behaviors.”
Porsild arrived in the Philippines late at night on Jan. 29. Dee revealed that Mega Magazine made the trip possible and brought PorDee back together. But the two declined to expound further on the collaboration, saying they are at no liberty to disclose certain details about the Thai beauty’s visit, which ends today.
Dee and Porsild both competed at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, where Sheynnis Palacios scored Nicaragua’s first victory in the international competition.