By Cedie Lazaro

Forget the rigid pageant molds and the filtered perfection. Michelle Dee is entering a whole new era, and she is doing it entirely on her own terms. Clad in a striking new blonde look and radiating an infectious, grounded energy, the beauty queen and actress sat down for an exclusive interview with Stylish Magazine right after the spectacular OKGames Playscape Runway Show Event at the City of Dreams Manila. The biggest takeaway? Authenticity is the ultimate fashion statement.
Here is how Michelle is navigating life after the crown, mastering her wellness routine, and staying fiercely true to herself.
Finding Her Style: The Ultimate Breakout Moment
For Michelle, true confidence did not come from a crown—it came from dropping the act. Fresh off the runway, she admits that her biggest breakthrough happened the moment she decided to stop trying to fit into a pre-made box.
“My biggest break was when I told the world that I’m going to be who I am, this is my truest self.”
Her advice for finding your own voice (and your own style vibe)? Get to know who you are first. Once you are comfortable in your own skin, your audience and your community will naturally connect with you.
Inside Her Daily Routine: Cold Plunges and High-Maintenance Hair
This year, Michelle is focusing heavily on her overall health—mental, physical, and existential. She is all about ensuring her energy goes to the right places because, as she puts it, “life is short, and you want to make sure at the end of every phase in your life, you are happy.”
So, what does a day in the life of this modern icon look like? It is a mix of high-vibe wellness and serious beauty dedication:
- Morning Detox: She kicks off the day with meditation and journaling to clear her mind.
- The Chill Factor: She swears by a morning cold plunge to shock the system and boost focus.
- Blonde Ambition: Going blonde is a major style mood, but it comes with a price. Michelle laughs that her hair care routine is currently much longer than her skincare routine to keep those locks looking fresh.
- Consistent Fitness: Don’t expect to see her on any crash diets. For Michelle, staying fit is purely about consistency and doing what makes you happy.
Purpose in Every Step
Beyond the dazzling lights of the City of Dreams runway and her high-fashion lifestyle, Michelle remains deeply committed to her core purpose. She continues to use her massive platform to champion her autism advocacy, ensuring that her impact reaches far beyond the catwalk. Supporting her in these meaningful endeavors is her partnership with OKPlay (OKGame), helping her amplify her message and bring sustainable awareness to the causes closest to her heart.

Michelle Dee is living proof that when you play by your own rules, you always win.
Lorin Gutierrez-Bektas is on the cover of STYLISH Magazine right now. In our latest cover story, discover how she’s carving her own path and challenging what success looks like for today’s generation.

Read the current Stylish Magazine cover story here.
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