Miss Universe Organization owner Anne Jakrajutatip drew flak for allegedly disrespecting Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee.
An English-subtitled video circulating on X showed Jakrajutatip talking to Dee in Thai while Dee was all smiles. The only discernible English words in the clip were “move on.”
Dee ended her Miss Universe journey in the Top 10, while Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild was the first runner-up.
As Dee walked away, Jakrajutatip followed her and they hugged each other.
It isn’t immediately clear who provided the English subtitles, and it isn’t certain whether the translations were accurate. PhilSTAR L!fe reached out to the University of the Philippines Department of Linguistics for assistance, but has yet to receive a reply.
Another video on X showed the Miss Universe contestants, including Dee, together with Jakrajutatip. Staff approached Dee and seemingly asked her to go with them while the others had a chitchat and laughed as they appeared to pose for photos.
Dee, in her broadcast channel “Hey, MMDVERSE!” on Instagram, sent fans a message that read, “Suddenly felt so lightheaded so [I’m] going back to the hotel! Don’t feel so well after that first media guesting.”
“Love, empathy & kindness over everything,” she added.
But another screenshot showed Dee apparently also saying, “Iykyk,” or “If you know, you know,” but deleted it. It isn’t clear what Dee was alluding to before the apparent deletion.
Early Nov. 21, Dee on X also thanked fans for supporting her, but not without being cryptic.
“Salamat,” she said with a folded hands emoji. “Alam niyo na bakit,” without elaborating.
On Instagram Story, Rhian Ramos, who is also Dee’s friend, shared a reel of Jakrajutatip’s same viral video without English subtitles.
“I don’t like how this looks. My stomach is turning. Ewan ko. Buti marespeto yung kaibigan ko, eh sila?” Ramos said. “Ewan. Kayo na lang ang humusga. Tap niyo for the full, uncomfortable video.”
Miss Grand Philippines 2021 Samantha Panlilio wrote a comment in the video, saying, “Konting respeto naman.”
Dee also commented on the video the hashtag #wmmmo, which supposedly pertains to “Walang magmo-move on,” and “charot,” or the slang for just kidding. Her comments can no longer be seen to date.
Aside from entering the Miss Universe Top 10, Dee won the “Spirit of Carnival” award and was among the Gold winners of the “Voice of Change” special awards.
Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was hailed Miss Universe 2023, succeeding the Filipino-blooded R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States.
