Kylie Verzosa and Michelle Dee Call for a "Better Leader" for the Miss Universe Organization

The Miss Universe 2025 pageant concluded on a controversial note, with allegations of corruption and mismanagement being leveled against the organization. With the winning crown perched on Mexico's Fatima Bosch—who is also being questioned about the validity of her victory—the pageant is now facing scrutiny from fans and former contestants alike.

Among the beauty queens who have aired their two cents regarding the organization's mishandling are Michelle Dee and Kylie Verzosa. The two spoke on the matter during an episode of the latter's podcast titled Almost Honest, and they mutually agree that the pageant deserves "a better leader."

On the podcast, Michelle spoke candidly about her pageant journey and how she's always regarded Miss Universe as the "creme de la creme of pageantry." Kylie echoed the sentiment, saying, "You can take me out of the pageant, but the pageant girl is always going to be in me."

Both winners in their own right, the two discussed the possibility of Filipino businessman and politician Chavit Singson potentially acquiring the Miss Universe Organization. News first arose at the brink of 2026, when Chavit and his daughter expressed their desire for ownership of the pageant. To this, Michelle says, "I would love for the Philippines to have control over the Miss Universe franchise."

"But it has to be an entity that knows, respects, and is just passionate about the brand that it has already established," she caveats, noting how any governing body has to dedicate itself to bringing Miss Universe back to its so-called "glory days."

"And to whoever actually wins the bid, we can only hope for the best," she expresses.

Kylie provides perspective to the conversation, arguing that "particularly with this season, I don’t think it’s under the right management." The Miss International 2016 titleholder expounds that the current organization has room for improvement when it comes to being more transparent with its processes. In particular, she expresses how she isn't so fond of one of its executive directors. "Personally, I do not like Nawat [Itsarigrisil]," she was quoted.

Nawat—a Thai businessman who also owns the Miss Grand International pageant—was infamously involved in a debacle with the present winner, Fatima Bosch, when he allegedly called her "dumb" during the sashing ceremony. Mexican entrepreneur and Miss Universe co-President Raul Rocha has since stated that Nawat has been stripped of some of his duties following the incident.

In the finality, both Kylie and Michelle agree that whoever handles the pageant has the duty to rebuild its community and reputation. "I feel like it deserves a better leader, whether that’s [from] the Philippines or not," the podcast host adds.

A January 5 report by ABS-CBN news states that Chavit has yet to purchase the organization, citing some financial complications on the current stakeholders' end. "Mabibili pero marami kaming pagdadaanan. Sinabi nila maraming kaso. I think ang may hawak ng Miss Universe ngayon ay yung pinagkakautangan nila," he said.

Listen to the whole episode with Kylie and Michelle here.