Miss Universe 2023 Contestant calls out pageant’s 'disheartening' lack of transparency

"It’s like what happened to transparency? It’s just I feel like they’re kind of lost in the sauce," Michelle Dee said

Former Miss Universe contestant Michelle Dee has publicly criticised the Miss Universe Organization, calling out what she describes as a troubling lack of transparency in how the pageant is run.

Dee shared her concerns during an appearance on the Almost Honest podcast, where she spoke candidly about her disappointment with the competition she once admired.

Dee questioned the fairness of the judging and decision-making process, saying, “It’s like what happened to transparency? It’s just I feel like they’re kind of lost in the sauce.” She explained that watching strong contestants fail to place despite standout performances has been especially discouraging. “And when you see somebody perform so well and not get a placement you feel they deserve, it’s disheartening,” she said.

The conversation also touched on leadership within the organization. Fellow pageant titleholder Kylie Verzosa, who appeared alongside Dee on the podcast, voiced her own frustrations with management. “Personally, I do not like Nawat,” Verzosa said, referring to pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, adding that she believes the organiation “deserves a better leader.”

Dee’s remarks come at a time when the Miss Universe Organization has faced increased scrutiny over its internal operations, including questions surrounding judging procedures and finalist selections. While the organization has stated that it remains committed to fairness and integrity, former contestants continue to raise concerns about how competitions are evaluated behind the scenes.