The most beautiful day in the universe has arrived: Miss Universe 2023! The coronation night of the prestigious pageant's 72nd edition is happening on November 18 (morning of November 19 in the Philippines) in El Salvador.

84 contestants are competing for the Miss Universe 2023 title, a roster that includes our very own Michelle Marquez Dee. The winner will be crowned by Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel.

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Taking on the hosting duties for the coronation night are TV personalities Jeannie Mai and Maria Menounos and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo. Giving audiences insightful commentary backstage are Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and entertainment reporter Zuri Hall. John Legend will perform at the much-awaited event.

Philippine bet Michelle Marquez Dee—daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez—proved herself a different breed of beauty queen by sticking to her own style. From her angular, sleek bob and fashion choices, to her national costume and advocacy, Michelle has been a true standout from the start.

The 28-year-old was the first Philippine Miss Universe candidate to introduce her country as “Filipinas,” the Philippines’ Spanish name, as one way to connect with host country El Salvador.

The pageant’s selection committee composed of Telemundo host Giselle Blondet, Latin singer Mario Bautista, social media star Avani Gregg, Carson Kressley from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Filipino-American White House physician Dr. Connie Mariano, entrepreneur Denise White, and Vice President of Growth Marketing & Merchandising at Roku Sweta Patel.

Among those chosen to advance to the semi-finals are:

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacio

Miss Spain Athenea Perez

Miss Puerto Rico Karla Inelisse Guilfú Acevedo

Miss Namibia Jameela Uiras

Miss Venezuela Diana Silva

Miss India Shwera Sharda

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porslid

Miss Chile Celeste Viel

Miss Jamaica Jordanne Lauren Levy

Miss USA Noelia Voigt

Miss Nepal Jane Garrett

Miss Peru Camila Escribens

Miss Cameroon Issie Princesse

Miss Colombia Camila Avella

Miss Pakistan Erica Robin

Miss Australia Monique Riley

Miss Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee

Miss Portugal Marina Machete

Miss South Africa Bryoni Govender

Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo

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The swimsuit competition followed the announcement of the Top 20 candidates and featured semi-finalists in sexy outfits and bikinis showcasing their best features. Miss Nepal and Miss Pakistan earned cheers from the live audience for making history. Miss Nepal Jane Garrett, being a plus-size candidate, defied traditional beauty pageant looks with her curves while Miss Pakistan Erica Robin sported a burkini, proving that women can stick to tradition and still be modern role models. Miss Philippines Michelle Dee was a crowd favorite as she sashayed down the stage, performing her “snake walk” meant to bring attention to her svelte figure and long legs.

Top 10:

Miss Puerto Rico Karla Inelisse Guilfú Acevedo

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porslid

Miss Peru Camila Escribens

Miss Colombia Camila Avella

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacio

Miss Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee

Miss El Salvador Isabella García-Manzo

Miss Venezuela Diana Silva

Miss Australia Monique Riley

Miss Spain Athenea Perez

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The evening gown competition showcased the impact of fashion and the elegance of the Top 10 candidates. Walking to the serenading of renowned singer John Legend, Miss Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee stunned in a black Mark Bumgarner number inspired by legendary Philippine tribal tattoo artist Wang-Od. Wearing her hair in a slicked back 'do and accessorizing with simple gold tambourine earrings, Michelle made a lasting impression.

Top 5:

Miss Australia Monique Riley

Miss Puerto Rico Karla Inelisse Guilfú Acevedo

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacio

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porslid

Miss Colombia Camila Avella

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A Q&A segment followed the selection of the Top 5 beauty queens.

Top 3:

Miss Thailand Anntonia Porslid

Miss Australia Monique Riley

Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacio

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The final round of Q&A followed the Top 3 announcement.

Ultimately, Miss Universe Australia Monique Riley was crowned Second Runner-Up, Miss Universe Thailand Anntonia Porslid First Runner-Up, and Miss Nicaraga Sheynnis Palacios the Miss Universe 2023.

Sheynnis Palacios succeeds Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, a Filipino-American with a passion for sustainable fashion and ethical business practices. Sheynnis is the first Miss Universe titleholder from Nicaragua.

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Overall, the Miss Universe 2023 pageant has been hailed for making steps towards diversity. For the first time, married women and mothers were allowed to compete with Top 20 semi-finalist Miss Universe Colombia, Camila Avella Montañez, and Miss Universe Guatemala, Michelle Cohn, being the first candidates to do so. Bahrain and Pakistan also sent their first-ever candidates, Manar Nadeem Deyani and Erica Robin.

Miss Universe 2023 Nepal Jane Garrett, who made the Top 20, became the first plus-size woman to participate. At the same time, Portugal’s Marina Machete, a Top 20 semi-finalist, and the Netherlands’ Rikkie Kollé represented the LGBTQIA+ community as transgender women.

Miss Universe’s Voice for Change also highlights the advocacies of candidates. The Philippines’ very own Michelle was chosen as one of the three Voice for Change gold medalists alongside Zimbabwe and Angola. Michelle’s advocacy is centered around creating awareness and acceptance of individuals with Autism. Winners were chosen by the award’s sponsor, Synergia One Group of Companies Chairman Fred Mouawad. Candidates from Angola, Brazil, Chile, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe were among those chosen alongside the Philippines to receive the award.

Aside from her Voice for Change gold medal, Michelle was given the Spirit of Carnival award by Miss Universe sponsor Carnival Cruises. The award is given to the candidate who embodies the brand’s values of fun, friendship, diversity, and inclusion.

You can catch Miss Universe 2023's live airing on ABS-CBN platforms Kapamilya Channel, A2z Channel 11, Metro Channel, and iWantTFC on November 19, 9 AM PHT, with same-day replays at 9:30PM.

Lead photo from @themissuniverseph