Michelle Dee marks pageant comeback for 2nd MGI All Stars
MANILA, Philippines — Michelle Marquez Dee is throwing her hat back into the pageantry ring following confirmation she will compete in the second edition of Miss Grand International (MGI) All Stars.
The beauty competition is a contest under the Thailand-based MGI open to women who've competed in the past.
Colombia's Vanessa Pulgarin won the inaugural edition held earlier this year which featured five representatives from the Philippines. This as the competition does not limit a country's number of representatives.
Michelle becomes the third Filipina to be officially announced for the 2nd MGI All Stars, just days after her cousin and fellow beauty queen Winwyn Marquez was announced as a "Pinoy Big Brother Collab 3.0" contestant.
She joins Miss Eco International 2025 Alexie Mae Brooks and Miss International Queen 2025 Top 6 finisher Anne Patricia Lorenzo Diaz in representing the Philippines so far.
The daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez previously represented the country at Miss World 2019 and Miss Universe 2023, finishing in the Top 12 and Top 10, respectively.
For the latter competition, Michelle won Best National Costume, the Fan Vote, the sponsored Spirit of Carnival Award, and was one of three gold winners for the Voice for Change competition.
Michelle celebrated her return to pageantry by sharing MGI All Stars' social card of her participation with hashtags that read "bayanihan" and "Dee pa tapos."
Fellow beauty queens that shared their support for Michelle include Gazini Ganados, Ahtisa Manalo, Krishnah Gravidez, Keylyn Trajano, and titleholder Pulgarin.
So far the following have been announced as competitors for the 2nd MGI All Stars this December 12:
- Sheila Sings - Zambia
- Tracy Nabukeera - Tanzania
- Ignacia Michelson - Chile
- Matilda Wirtavuori - Finland
- Smriti Shrestha - Nepal
- Genie Cheng - Taiwan
- Maeya Sunsun - Thailand
- Shelbi Byrnes - United States
- Paulina Uceda - Mexico
- Ala - Taiwan
- Parita Pran - Thailand
The following were previously announced as scholarship recipients where their individual $10,000 (P640,000) entry fees to the competition were fully waived:
- Jennifer Colón Alvarado - Puerto Rico
- Ivana Garcia - Venezuela
- Sabrina Maged Erian - Egypt
- Romane Alvies - Sri Lanka
- Prema Lamgade - Nepal
- Michelo Malambo - Zambia
- Stephanie Cam - Honduras
- Naima Nausica Acosta - Mexico
- Rebecca Shandley - Australia
- Yara Bishi - Palestine
- Lola De Los Santos - Uruguay
- Sklouchere Pierre - Haiti
- Phaimany Lathsabanthao - Laos
- Melanie Shiraz - Israel
RELATED: Miss Universe 2026: 6 Southeast Asian nations will not participate
