Michelle Dee, the Philippines’ representative, has undeniably garnered more global attention and become significantly more popular than the crowned queen, Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua, following the recently concluded Miss Universe competition on Nov. 19.
The controversies surrounding the controversial top 5 pick and the aftermath of the competition have stirred high-profile celebrities, both in the Philippines and internationally, to voice their outrage, claiming that Michelle Dee was indeed robbed of her chance in the final 5.
Google Trends data confirms that Michelle Dee has become a global sensation, surpassing not only the crowned winner, Sheynnis Palacios, but also outshining other personalities like Miss Thailand Anntonia Porslid and franchise owner Anne Jakrajutatip.
A head-to-head comparison between Dee and Palacios reveals that the former has gained more popularity, fueled by recent controversies surrounding the Miss Universe franchise.
Breakdown by region indicates that Michelle Dee is most popular in Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom, while Palacios is more favored in Russia, Argentina, and Peru.
Other countries where Dee has gained popularity include Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Honduras, and Cambodia.
Several controversies contribute to Michelle Dee’s ongoing popularity:
Miss Universe El Salvador’s Apology: Miss Universe El Salvador apologized for posting a wrong art card of the Top 5 on Instagram, featuring Michelle Dee instead of Miss Thailand. The organization acknowledged the mistake and apologized to both candidates.
Claims of Robbery: Celebrities and netizens, including journalist Ronan Farrow and supermodel Lu Sierra, claimed that Michelle Dee was robbed of her chance. Farrow expressed on X, “Miss Philippines was robbed, shaking and crying,” while Sierra, in a video commentary, expressed confusion about the outcome.
Viral Exit Video: Michelle Dee’s viral exit video during a TV guesting in Mexico sparked concern among netizens. The clip showed her leaving a guesting at the Mexican television show, “Venga La Alegria,” after the segment had finished. Netizens questioned the circumstances of her exit.
Anne Jakrajutatip’s Alleged Disrespectful Video: Miss Universe Organization owner Anne Jakrajutatip faced criticism for an alleged disrespectful treatment of Michelle Dee in a viral video. The English-subtitled clip showed Jakrajutatip talking to Dee in Thai, with the only discernible English words being “move on.” Jakrajutatip clarified that her “move on” statements were misinterpreted by Filipino netizens.
Despite these controversies, Michelle Dee’s global popularity seems to be on the rise, making her a standout figure in the aftermath of the Miss Philippines competition.
The Daily Netizen 