Daven Tamayo

'Is a back-to-back-to-back' even possible?' Michelle Dee asked about joining Miss Grand

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780028569169710745912_1630900508405066_8329103196551551970_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>(From left) Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, MGI founder Nawat Itsaragrisil, MGI 2025 Emma Tiglao, and Miss Universe Thailand 2019 Paweensuda Drouin during the MGI All Stars prelims. MGI/Facebook Michelle Dee was put on the spot as she co-hosted the preliminary competition of Miss Grand International All Stars in Thailand on Thursday, May 28. </div>At the end of the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2026/5/29/mgi-all-stars-ph-bets-sizzle-in-swimsuit-prelims-1214">second round of prelims</a>, the former Miss Universe Philippines was asked if she will soon grace the MGI stage as a candidate. The question came from one of her co-hosts, fellow Filipina and reigning Miss Grand International Emma Tiglao.&quot;Emma Mary Tiglao, what is this question? Papa, is a back-to-back-to-back even possible?&quot; Dee said in jest as she addressed MGI founder Nawat Itsaragrisil, who supposedly gave a thumbs-up.&quot;It&#x27;s a hot stage now all of a sudden.&quot;In her &quot;back-to-back-to-back&quot; remark, Dee jokingly asked about the possibility of the Philippines winning the MGI crown for the third consecutive year. CJ Opiaza ascended to the crown from being first runner-up in 2024, followed by <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/10/18/emma-tiglao-scores-back-to-back-win-for-ph-in-miss-grand-international-2307">Tiglao&#x27;s historic victory last year. </a>Dee was referring to the standard MGI, not the ongoing all-star edition that features women and trans women who have competed on a global pageant stage.Although technically, given her experience in Miss Universe and Miss World, she can join any of the two pageants.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780028549567Screenshot 2026-05-29 122208.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>GrandTV/YouTube</div>Instead of directly answering the question about her plans to join MGI, Dee turned to Tiglao and praised her for being a &quot;phenomenal&quot; queen.&quot;All I have to say, there is a reason why the Miss Grand International stage is truly iconic,&quot; she ended, before going back on script. Rumors of Dee&#x27;s plans to compete in MGI <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/11/19/after-miss-universe-will-michelle-dee-join-miss-grand-international-1720">have been circulating as early as 2024</a>, when her fans noticed that she started following the pageant and Itsaragrisil on Instagram.This was fueled by her cryptic social media posts on X, such as &quot;What if&quot; and &quot;Never say never.&quot;When the inaugural MGI All Stars competition was announced last year, Dee was asked anew if she is planning to return to the pageant stage after her Miss Universe stint.&quot;I never close doors naman. We assess every opportunity for what it has to offer. Malay niyo. Kaya never ako nagsasara,&quot; she <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/12/20/is-michelle-dee-considering-joining-miss-grand-international-all-stars-2258">told ABS-CBN News last December</a>.In a podcast interview last January, Dee admitted that joining MGI All Stars is <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/1/10/michelle-dee-yet-to-decide-on-joining-mgi-all-stars-i-don-t-have-an-answer-for-it-yet-1047">&quot;definitely under consideration.&quot;</a>An actress and recording artist, Dee represented the Philippines in Miss Universe 2023 where she finished in the Top 10 and earned four special awards. Prior to this, she wore the Philippine sash in Miss World 2019 and finished in the Top 12.

Former Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee was put on the spot as she co-hosted the preliminary competition of Miss Grand International All Stars in Thailand on Thursday, May 28.

Former Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee was put on the spot as she co-hosted the preliminary competition of Miss Grand International All Stars in Thailand on Thursday, May 28.