Michelle Dee and Anntonia Porsild talk about the beauty of having a good friendship in the world of pageantry

Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee and Miss Universe Thailand Anntonia Porsild talk about friendship and fans during Ann’s visit.

By Nikka Sabio Jan 31, 2024

Michelle Dee and Anntonia Porsild talk about the beauty of having a good friendship in the world of pageantry.Photo credit: @themissuniverseph on Instagram

Miss Universe 2023 besties, Michelle Dee and Anntonia Porsild of Thailand, had nothing but good words for each other as the two reunited during Anntonia’s visit to the Philippines on Monday, January 29. 

During the beauty queens' chat with local media at Kao Manila at Resorts World, the two shared how genuine their friendship is after being part of the Miss Universe 2023 pageant.

“It’s a genuine friendship and I understand where the shipping comes from. Michelle had explained it to me. Our friendship will last as long as it will because it is genuine,” Anntonia said. 

The two also shared that their friendship wouldn’t end with the pageant as the two found a wonderful connection and made great memories they will cherish.

“In the world of pageantry, you really do find your other sisters that you connect the most. It's quite impossible to become close to all the delegates,” Michelle shared.

Anntonia added: “You also find life-long friends (in the pageant). You're lucky if you can find those people and when you do, you should cherish them no matter how far they are. Keep in contact and always love them the same."

Michelle also expressed how happy they are that they brought together the Filipino and Thai fans.

“I'm just so glad that, again, Thailand and Filipinos are united and that they are happy. We make so many people happy and, if anything, we just want to make as many people happy. We always remind everyone to be kind, spread love and act with respect,” the Filipina beauty queen remarked.

 The Miss Universe besties also shared how grateful they are to represent a good friendship between two countries. 

“We have already formed such a great friendship. The whole hashtag PorDee (Porsild and Dee) was really birthed, was really formed because we wanted to represent unity between Thailand and the Philippines, and I’m so glad that happened,” Michelle said. 

The Filipina beauty queen added, "I’m so glad that that’s what we represent. Something that is actually a genuine friendship, actually represents the unity of two nations. Alam naman natin na laging bardagulan lagi ang Thailand at Philippines (during the) pageant wars.” 

 Michelle also noted how the PorDee trend had a great impact on the fans as well. 

“But since the whole PorDee thing happened, I’m just so glad that we represent something so amazing, especially because it's not fake.”

The 28-year-old Filipina expressed how she loves Anntonia’s personality and that Filipinos also showed their support for the beauty queen.

“I just want everybody to know that Anntonia is such an amazing person. She is so genuine. She really thinks about other people first and that's the kind of people you wanted to surround yourself with. I'm glad that the Philippines support her also.”

The Thai beauty queen, on the other hand, shared praises for Michelle whom she found very true and authentic.

“What I admire most about Michelle is that she’s someone who’s always not afraid to be who she is and be her true authentic self, which is something that is really hard, especially in the beauty queen industry,” Anntonia said.

“During our time together in El Salvador and in Mexico, I feel likeour bond would get stronger because even though it was a competition, we still had each other's backs. We still supported each other and uplifted each other throughout the entire time there,” she recalled.

The Thai beauty queen also expressed a heartwarming message to Michelle.

“I don't think that my journey in Miss Universe would have been the same if you were not there to be by my side and to give me a realistic perspective outside of all the glitz and the glam,” she said.

She added: “It’s always good to have that one friend, that is, you know you don't have to be someone else when you're with them.”

“I'm so grateful for the friendship that we created and of course to the PorDee family. It would have been the same without you guys as well.” she remarked.

Anntonia also wished for her Miss Universe bestie to continue inspiring others.

“Just watching your journey grow from what you have told me until today has been so inspiring and I know that you will continue to inspire other people in the best way possible with your strength and authenticity and your kindness,” she said.

Anntonia is set to leave Manila on Wednesday, January 31, but says she hopes to be back more often.

The two Southeast Asian representatives became close during their activities as part of Miss Universe in El Salvador in November last year and their friendship flourished as the two became roommates in Mexico during the post-pageant activities.

The two beauty queens' closeness made fans cheer for them and even ship them as the two gave off the same vibes and complemented each other's personalities.

https://push.abs-cbn.com/2024/1/31/michelle-dee-and-anntonia-porsild-talk-about-the-beauty-of-having-a-good-friendship-1251