In the wake of the Miss Universe 2023 grand finale, the buzz refuses to die down as netizens, both Filipino and international, continue to discuss what they perceive as a surprising turn of events for Philippines’ representative, Michelle Dee.
The virtual world erupted with the term “ROBBED” in all caps right after the top 5 finalists were announced on November 18 (November 19 in the Philippines), suggesting a potential anomaly in the selection process.
Nearly 24 hours later, conspiracy theories and allegations gained traction, asserting that Michelle Dee was unjustly excluded from the top 5.
Social media platforms, particularly the X platform (formerly Twitter), witnessed a surge in trending terms such as “Thailand,” “#DeePaTapos” (meaning not yet over), “Filipinas,” and “Puro Latina” (alluding to Latinas).
While “Thailand” trended for reasons other than celebration, a spotlight on the current owner of the Miss Universe franchise, Thai transgender Anne Jakrajutatip, added fuel to the speculation.
The selection of Thailand’s Anntonia Porslid as the fourth finalist intensified the conspiracy theories surrounding the integrity of the top 5 contenders’ decision.
As the controversy unfolded, pageant enthusiasts and self-proclaimed experts flooded the internet with what they call “receipts.”
One notable post on X suggested even the event’s cameraman may have believed Michelle Dee was the fourth to be called in the top 5, amassing nearly 10,000 likes and over 2,000 reposts.
Pia Wurtzbach Universe, an account with a substantial following, hinted at a potential mix-up by sharing a screenshot suggesting Michelle Dee was initially listed in the top 5 instead of Thailand.
“This was deleted now and replaced with a new one,” they added.
“Miss Philippines was robbed, shaking and crying,” declares Pulitzer-winning investigative journalist Ronan Farrow on X.
“But happy for you, Nicaragua,” he adds. Verified user Vincent (rvhub) agrees, saying, “100%. She could’ve swallowed them all in that Q&A lol.”
Pageant News (@PageantsNEWS), with nearly 160,000 followers, boldly declares, “Philippines was robbed,” quoting supermodel and pageant expert Lucela Nia Sierra.
In a video commentary, Sierra expresses confusion about the outcome, stating, “I really thought Philippines is gonna make the five.”
As the controversy deepened, more evidence, or “receipts,” emerged on social media platforms.
An X user posted a video urging @andreameza to speak out, emphasizing the need for an explanation from Miss Universe officials.
In response to the uproar, Michelle Dee conveyed her emotions, stating, “I feel amazing” and expressed pride in representing her country.
Despite the unexpected outcome, she asserts, “I left it to destiny. Of course, it’s not the result that we wanted.”
The aftermath of Miss Universe 2023 continues to unfold, leaving fans and critics alike eager for answers in the midst of the controversy surrounding Michelle Dee’s alleged snub from the top 5.
The Daily Netizen 