MANILA, Philippines – “Lakas loob ang aking korona!“
Actress-host and Filipina beauty queen Michelle Dee released her first music single “Reyna” on Friday, March 7.
The empowering track talks about battling self-doubts and insecurities, delivering a message of beauty through strength, and embracing your own “royalty.” It is a collaboration between ABS-CBN Star Music and GMA Music, composed by Angelica Tagadtad and produced by Jonathan Manalo and Roque “Rox” Santos.
Dee shared in an Instagram teaser video that the song was inspired by embracing imperfections and turning them into confidence. It’s meant for those who see themselves as “queens” in their own way.
“Finding everything that people call ugly in you, but it’s up to you to find beauty in that,” she said.
In an interview with Vogue Philippines, she opened up about overcoming self-doubt, regrets, and frustration, as well as the physical toll of external stress. She emphasized the importance of gratitude and choosing love, even in the face of life’s challenges.
“It’s just a product of constantly finding things that make me confident about myself in the woman that my very empowered parent figures have given me,” Dee said.
Before her music debut, Dee was crowned Miss Universe Philippines in 2023. She is the daughter of Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez, and is also known for her advocacy on mental health, autism awareness, and gender equality. – with reports from Kevin Lampayan/Rappler.com
Kevin Lampayan is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.