Miss Universe 2023: Michelle Dee vies for the Philippines’ fifth crown

The coronation night of the 72nd Miss Universe happens today!

Today, November 19 (Manila time), the next Miss Universe will be crowned. The finals night of this edition takes place at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Savador. The country previously served as host for MU 1975.

Serving as hosts are Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo, Jeannie Mai, and Maria Menonous. Our Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray returns as backstage host, together with Zuri Hall. John Legend will also appear as a special guest.

Reigning ‘Miss U’ R’Bonney Gabriel from the USA will pass the crown to her successor, which will be selected among 84 candidates.

The Philippines will be represented in this edition by Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee.

Dee is also a silver finalist for the Voice For Change competition.

Miss Universe 2023 format will be as follows: the 84 contestants will be slashed down to the Top 20 for the semi-finals.

The Top 20 will then move forward to the swimsuit competition, after which the Top 10 will be decided upon.

The evening gown competition featuring the remaining 10 will determine who will enter the Top 5.

There will be two question-and-answer segments, the first being the interview, then the final question which will only be answered by the Top 3 contestants.

After that, the new Miss Universe will be crowned.

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LIVE BLOG: (Please bookmark and refresh this page for the latest updates)

• 9:02 am: Individual introduction of candidates now underway.

• 9:22 am: Part of this year’s selection panel are Filipina doctor Connie Mariano, Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, among others.

• 9:38 am: Top 20 semifinalists:

Nicaragua
Spain
Puerto Rico
Namibia
Venezuela
India
Thailand

Chile
Jamaica
USA
Nepal
Peru
Cameroon
Colombia

Pakistan
Australia
Philippines
Portugal
South Africa
El Salvador

• 10:02 am: The swimsuit competition is now ongoing. This round will determine who will enter this year’s Top 10.

• 10:25 am: Here are the Top 10 candidates.

Puerto Rico
Thailand
Peru
Colombia
Nicaragua
Philippines
El Salvador
Venezuela
Australia
Spain

• 10:34 am: Michelle Dee of the Philippines is one of the gold winners in the Voice For Change competition. Puerto Rico and Angola were also named winners.

• 10:41 am: Evening gown competition of the Top 10 candidates. John Legend is the special performer for this segment.

• 10:44 am: Michelle Dee wears a dress inspired by 106-year-old ‘mambabatok’ Apo Whang-Od.

• 10:56 am: The Top 5 candidates of Miss Universe 2023 are:

Australia
Puerto Rico
Nicaragua
Thailand
Colombia

Michelle Dee of the Philippines has ended her journey to the crown.

Up next is the interview portion.

• 11:08 am: The interview portion has ended. The Top 3 candidates will be announced after the break. The three remaining contenders will proceed to the final question round.

The new Miss Universe will be crowned before noon (Manila time).

• 11:23 am: Like in MU2022, Miss Universe Organization owner Anne Jakrajutatip takes centerstage to deliver her speech. She thanked El Salvador for hosting the pageant.

• 11:27 am: “If you could live in another woman’s shoes, who would you be and why?” is asked to the Top 3 contestants for the final question round.

– Mexico will be the next host country of the Miss Universe pageant for its 73rd edition in 2024.

• 11:58 am:

Second runner-up: Australia
First runner-up: Thailand

The new Miss Universe is Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua.