Michelle Dee never hides behind pageant polish. The former Miss Universe 2023 Philippines contestant is known for speaking with clarity, and this time she is pointing directly at what she sees as a system that has drifted far from its original purpose. During a revealing episode of the “Almost Honest” podcast hosted by Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Dee said the 2025 pageant season felt "disheartening," especially for fans and contestants who grew up believing Miss Universe stood for fairness, transparency, and excellence.
The conversation has quickly become a major talking point in Miss Universe news and pageant industry analysis, especially as the organization faces internal conflict, public controversies, and growing skepticism from former queens and delegates.
© Getty ImagesA Conversation That Pulled Back the Curtain
Dee and Verzosa approached the topic not as outsiders but as women who know how the pageant system works from the inside. Verzosa was blunt about her doubts regarding the Miss Universe Organization leadership, saying she does not believe the brand is currently under the right management. Her criticism centered on Nawat Itsaragrisil, a Miss Universe executive and the president of Miss Grand International, whom she believes does not align with the values that once defined Miss Universe. "Personally, I do not like Nawat [Itsaragrisil]," she said, adding that the organization "deserves a better leader."
While the Miss Universe Organization is owned by Anne Jakrajutatip, sentenced in an explosive fraud case, and Raúl Rocha, his name has been surrounded by legal drama following the 2025 pageant. In December 2025, Rocha reportedly told Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office that he was involved in smuggling fuel from Guatemala into Mexico. The same office also accused him of drug and weapons trafficking, a scandal that has added another layer of instability to an already shaken brand.
Against that backdrop, Dee shared how painful it is to watch something she once admired lose its sense of purpose.
Why Michelle Dee Says the Pageant Feels Broken
For Dee, the heartbreak is not about losing a crown or a placement. It is about watching a system that once inspired millions feel increasingly hollow. "It's like because you've seen it year after year after year — and it's not just Miss Universe, we go through how many pageants are there now, like 20?" Dee said. "And each of the [candidates] makes their fans feel a certain way. And you can't deny that when you watch it year after year, you become your own judge."
© Getty Images"And when you see somebody perform so well and not get a placement you feel they deserve, it's disheartening," she continued. "It's disheartening for anyone that wants to join or anyone that has joined because what's the point of sending your best woman if the system is broken?"
She also referenced long-running rumors that the Top 30 finalists in Miss Universe 2025 were chosen before the competition even started. Although the Miss Universe Organization denied those claims, the lack of clarity has continued to haunt the season. For Dee, the real issue is not just one rumor. "It's like what happened to transparency? It's just I feel like they're kind of lost in the sauce," she added.
The 2025 Miss Universe Controversy That Changed Everything
The season was already under pressure when Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly confronted Miss Universe Mexico Fátima Bosch during a livestreamed gathering in Thailand. He accused her of refusing to post promotional content for the host country. Bosch denied that claim and tried to explain herself, but Nawat interrupted her and demanded a public confirmation of her cooperation.
© rrssWhen Bosch walked out, several contestants followed her. Nawat ordered them to sit down if they wanted to continue competing. Despite the controversy, Bosch later won the Miss Universe 2025 crown.
The confrontation exploded across social media and news outlets, especially after reports claimed Nawat called Bosch a “dumbhead.” His representatives denied that, insisting he said “damage” instead. A criminal complaint was later filed by Nawat, adding even more tension to an already chaotic pageant season.
Hopes for a Miss Universe Reboot
Despite the disappointment, Dee and Verzosa did not speak from a place of bitterness. They spoke from hope. They discussed the possibility of Filipino businessman and politician Chavit Singson and his daughter acquiring the Miss Universe Organization. "I would love for the Philippines to have control over the Miss Universe franchise, but more so than just the Philippines, but an entity that knows, respects, and is just passionate about the brand that it has already established," she shared.
© Getty ImagesDee said she would support that idea, not just because it would place the brand in Filipino hands, but because she wants the next owners to truly respect the legacy of Miss Universe.
She described it as heartbreaking when people talk about the glory days of Miss Universe in the past tense. To her, the pageant is still the highest level of global competition in beauty and advocacy. It should not feel like a fading relic.
© Getty ImagesThe Miss Universe Organization has since released a statement pushing back against rumors of a sale. The group said it remains under its current ownership and leadership and warned that it is reviewing misleading claims with legal advisers. It also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and integrity.
