Miss Grand International Crown: From Controversy to Historic Win for the Philippines

Miss Grand International 2024 Crown Passes to Philippines' CJ Opiaza After India's Rachel Gupta's Controversial Stepdown The Miss Grand International Organization announced a surprising change in the 2024 crown's ownership. India's Rachel Gupta, initially crowned, had her title revoked due to various controversies. The organization cited Gupta's failure to fulfill her assigned duties, including her refusal to participate in a scheduled trip to Guatemala, and her engagement in external projects without prior approval. In a statement, MGI said, "The decision follows her failure to fulfill her assigned duties, engagement in external projects without prior approval from the organization, and her refusal to participate in the scheduled trip to Guatemala." The crown has now been passed to the first runner-up, Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza of the Philippines. Opiaza is the first Filipino to hold this title. Her coronation is scheduled for June 3rd at MGI Hall in Bangkok and will be live-streamed on YouTube via Grand TV. This unexpected turn of events has sparked considerable interest and discussion worldwide, highlighting the complexities of international beauty pageants and the responsibilities of titleholders. Opiaza's win represents a significant moment for the Philippines in the world of beauty pageants.