It’s official: CJ Opiaza to be crowned new Miss Grand International 2024

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As first runner-up, the beauty queen from Zambales will be assuming the Miss Grand International 2024 title on June 3

MANILA, Philippines – A day after Rachel Gupta’s sudden resignation as Miss Grand International 2024, the Miss Grand International (MGI) organization has officially passed the crown to her first runner-up, Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza of the Philippines.

On Thursday, May 29, the MGI organization announced via Facebook that “time tells all” and that “the CROWN has found its QUEEN,” confirming Opiaza as the new Miss Grand International 2024.

The coronation will be on June 3 at 2 pm (Bangkok time) at MGI Hall (Bravo BKK) and will be streamed live via GrandTV on YouTube.

The event is dubbed a “historic moment,” as CJ will be the first Miss Grand International queen from the Philippines since the competition’s founding in 2013. Filipina beauty queens Nicole Cordoves and Samantha Bernardo both finished first runner-up in 2016 and 2021, respectively.

Opiaza, who hails from Castillejos, Zambales, was crowned Miss Grand Philippines in September 2024 and later named first runner-up at the Miss Grand International pageant in Bangkok on October 25, 2024.

CJ’s succession comes after the controversial step down of Indian beauty queen Gupta, who cited “broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment.” In a separate statement, MGI said Gupta had been terminated due to “failure to perform her assigned duties, engagement in external projects without prior approval from the organization, and her refusal to participate in the scheduled trip to Guatemala.”

In October 2024, second runner-up Thae Su Nyein of Myanmar also revoked her title due to “inappropriate behavior and actions that violated several regulations,” according to the pageant’s organizers. – Rappler.com