This story is part of “This Is Not A Phase,” Rolling Stone Philippines’ Pride Month storytelling campaign. Featuring the unapologetic individuals who refuse to back down on who they truly are, “This Is Not A Phase” highlights stories that challenge what’s considered acceptable in Filipino LGBTQIA+ culture.
When I first meet Michelle Dee — model, actress, former Miss Universe Philippines 2023, and now the first-ever recording artist signed by Star Music and GMA Music — she is picking at a Band-Aid on her cheek. Just a week prior, her pet dog Pandee left behind a scar after a cuddle session gone wrong. The round, skin-toned patch looks out of place against Dee’s chiseled face. Sporting platinum blonde bangs, a sheer blouse unbuttoned just before her bosom, and ankle-high leather boots, Dee carries herself with the ease of an off-duty model.
She’s concerned about how the internet is bashing her dog for accidentally biting her. “My poor fur baby,” Dee coos. “She really didn’t mean it.”
Despite a career in modeling, pageantry, and now music, Dee is surprisingly not too concerned about appearances. But this was not always the case. Born to actress and Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez and former action star Derek Dee, she grew up in a world where image, public expectation, and legacy loomed large. Starting out as a model, Dee eventually followed in her mother’s footsteps, winning Miss World Philippines in 2019. In 2023, Dee triumphed over 40 pageant hopefuls to win the Miss Universe Philippines crown.
While the public celebrated her as a beauty queen, Dee was quietly navigating a more personal journey, one that led her to come out as bisexual just 10 days after taking the crown. “I definitely identify as bisexual as long as I can remember. I’m attracted to all forms of beauty, all shapes, and sizes,” Dee told MEGA Magazine.
Since then, Dee has used her platform to call for LGBTQIA+ rights, while also continuing her advocacy for autism awareness, a cause close to her heart, as her two brothers are on the spectrum.
“That was my biggest breakthrough in 2023 when I came out: to embrace myself for the entirety of who I am. The good, the bad, and everything in between.”
As an artist, her latest single, “REYNA,” is a high-energy anthem brimming with poise and power. “Ako ay isang reyna,” Dee sings. “Nagniningning aking korona… Lakas loob ang aking korona.”
Though the stage has changed, Dee remains committed to showing up for herself. “I’m always the same person,” she insists. “Every story that I tell will always be the most authentic version; my most raw version. I make a conscious effort not to hide myself.”
Now breaking into the music scene under an unprecedented partnership between industry giants, ABS-CBN and GMA, Dee is poised not just to enter the industry but also to prove that she deserves a place in it. With the public looking towards Dee as she stands at the intersection of pageantry and music, one question remains: Does Michelle Dee have what it takes to lead queer pop stardom?
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Could you tell me about your evolution from modeling to pageantry, and now to music?
If you’d met me 20 years ago, I would never have guessed that this is where my career would take me. I grew up in the smallest ranch in the tiniest town in Utah, not knowing that my parents were these huge icons across the Pacific Ocean. Life just throws you so many surprises.
Did you plan for any of the things that eventually happened in your adult life and career to happen?
No, it was really the universe working in mysterious ways. Or, well, a lot of the things that I did throughout my career were born out of necessity. I just needed to pay my bills. I was a working student, and I was always so adamant about trying to prove myself. This country is so high stakes, so competitive.
But, you know, it wasn’t always so stressful. I was raised by amazing parents. My grandmother, the pillar of my values, really shaped the way I think and how I wanted to build this platform of mine.
How would you describe your platform?
There’s no room for selfishness. And that there’s always room for divine compensation.
What is “divine compensation”?
Whatever you put out to the world needs to come back to you. So very karmic energy, very spiritual.
But really, I would never have guessed that this 16-year-old college kid who tried out modeling would end up being Miss Universe [Philippines]. I was the most bashed, most doubted, and then I turned into the most improved. I was celebrated as a winner, even if I didn’t bring home the crown [in Miss Universe].
It sounds like you doubted that you could do it.
I was my number one doubter. I didn’t think I could do pageantry. There was no way that I could compete, or even measure up to my mom. But it was really the people around me that made me think, “Why can’t I believe in myself?” So everything was just built on purpose, passion, authenticity, and connecting emotionally to the people around me.
It feels like the insecurities you bring up are very real. Do you compare yourself to others a lot?
I guess I’m just very realistic. For a long time, I didn’t think I could compare to my mom. But then there’s also the value of all the hard work I put in. And there’s also that fear of never knowing if you never try. I guess it just came to a point where you have to decide as an individual if you want to live your life knowing what would happen if you never gave anything a shot. It was that fear of actually never seeing my full potential that scared me the most.
“That’s really the intention of this whole music career of mine: trying to block the noise, become less perfect, and being an advocate of who I [truly] am.”
Were you always this musically inclined?
Music has always been my source of strength. I was a theater kid in high school. I was in my high school’s production of Wicked, where I played Fiyero. I played the piano a lot, and I was really active in the glee club.
I was always doing other things, too. I was also a star athlete. I loved taking on different hats. But I guess when you’re a celebrity in the Philippines, you’re kind of expected to know how to do everything.
I see music as a very psychological, emotional journey. Somehow, through all of it, I need to find the balance. With music, it’s really how you command the stage through emotion, through your story. I’m not what you would expect a Philippine singer to be, but — and we’re tying it back to platform — my platform is really built on my story. My authenticity.
How has being a perfectionist influenced your pivot to music?
As a perfectionist, I thought it was so hard for me to break the boundary of being seen as imperfect. That was my biggest breakthrough in 2023 when I came out: to embrace myself for the entirety of who I am. The good, the bad, and everything in between.
That’s really the intention of this whole music career of mine: trying to block the noise, become less perfect, and being an advocate of who I [truly] am.
As a Filipino musician, do you sometimes feel like your fanbase can be a bit critical of your career?
We [Filipinos are] very opinionated. But when you’re being bashed or criticized, you realize there is always some truth to what they’re saying. And if you’re an artist who can see things constructively, you learn how to block the noise.
But now, people are seeing that it’s a great time to be a creator. The world is more receptive to [who] you are.
I think part of the trick to being an artist is to make sure that what you’re making really resonates with you. Everything I do on stage is also part of the story. Every time you hear my song, and maybe I’m half naked on the stage and dancing — that’s my power. As I always say, “How do I want to make the audience feel?” I want them to hear the song and think, “You can do it. You can actually accomplish what you set your mind to.” That’s really the whole goal, you know? I want them to be the best version of themselves.
How long has this shift into music been in the making?
A year. It didn’t happen overnight; it wasn’t an accident. There have always been things that I wanted to say that are so hard to say, but so much easier to say in a song.
I’m not the most technically skilled singer. I’ve never pretended to be. But if you give me the mic, I’ll always have something to say. And with music, that’s forever. It’s like… you know how some songs define a period in your life? I have 30 playlists dedicated to different periods. A lot of them — at least the public playlists — underline messages that fans are really good about deciphering when it comes to what I’m trying to say.
Styling EDLENE CABRAL
Makeup DAVE QUIAMBAO
Hairstyling NELLY SEBOY
Photographer’s assistant ROJAN MAGUYON
Michelle wears BENCH/ Body undergarments
VIKTOR jacket and pleated pants
Patton bodysuit and shirt
Comme Des Garçons T-shirt
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