Michelle Dee reacts to Miss Universe top 5 graphics mix-up: 'Everything happens for a reason'
Miss Universe may have drawn the ire of eagle-eye pageant fans for its recent top 5 art card mix-up, but Philippine bet Michelle Dee is handling the issue like a true queen.
The Miss Universe Philippine 2023 took to Instagram to speak up on the mix-up, wherein Miss Universe El Salvador uploaded an Instagram post that mistakenly included Dee in the Top 5 of the pageant held on Nov. 19 (PHT) in El Salvador.
In the post, Dee joins Australia's Moraya Wilson, Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios, Puerto Rico's Karla Acevedo, and Colombia's Camila Avella, who all vied for a spot in the competition's Top 3.
After the top five candidates were announced on stage, the post was immediately taken down and replaced with graphics showing Thailand's Anntonia Porsild as part of the roster instead of Dee.
Eagle-eyed fans who were quick to notice what happened called on Miss Universe to bring back Dee to the Top 5, thinking that she was originally part of it.
“SHOW THE ORIGINAL POST! It’s impossible it was a mistake, Top 5 results was given to graphic designer prior to top 5 announcement! JUSTICE FOR MMD!” a social media user commented.
Despite it all, Dee urged her supporters and pageant fans to be more understanding of the situation and those involved.
"There should be no room for error but the reality is we live in an imperfect world," she wrote on Instagram.
"My request is not just to be respectful to the delegates but to the supporters that are so passionate about this platform as well."
The beauty queen also encouraged everyone to see the good out of it and think of it as either a "lesson or a blessing."
She continued, "But again, EVERYTHING happens for a reason and it's just a matter of seeing it as a lesson or a blessing. So always act with love, kindness, and respect.
Dee initially released her statement on the same day of the competition on Sunday. Four days later, on Nov. 23, Miss Universe El Salvador publicly apologized for the "simple error."
“Our mistake! In the rush to get our posts up during Saturday’s live broadcast, we accidentally mixed up the names of two finalists,” they began, not specifying the names of the said candidates.
“This was a simple error of moving too fast - we heard the same results live at the same time that you all did, no special access over here!” they continued. “We’re sorry to both finalists.”
Dee ended her Miss Universe 2023 journey at the Top 10 after earning gold in the “Voice for Change” category, receiving the Spirit of Carnival award, and placing first in the fan vote.
Meanwhile, Porsild was named first runner-up following Miss Universe 2023 winner Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua. Australia's Moraya Wilson placed second runner-up.