Miss Grand International CJ Opiaza (left) and MGI head Nawat Itsaragrisil. Image: Facebook/Miss Grand International
The Philippines’ Christine Juliane Opiaza continues to perform her duty as Miss Grand International, this time in India, the country of her predecessor and erstwhile winner Rachel Gupta, whose resignation resulted in the Filipino queen’s ascension to the throne.
Opiaza came with the pageant’s head and owner Nawat Itsaragrisil, who had accused Gupta of being a “troublemaker” when the former queen stepped down from her duties.
On May 28, Gupta announced her decision to resign as Miss Grand International 2024 on social media, citing “broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment.”
Opiaza, Gupta’s first runner-up, officially took over the remainder of the reign on June 3 via a festive coronation ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand. Since then, the Filipino queen has already traveled to Myanmar, China and Macau.
The international organization had earlier announced the trip to the South Asian nation, for the celebration of the Miss Grand India 2025 pageant under a new national director.
This announcement was met by indignation from some Indian netizens, with several posters threatening to throw paint and tomatoes at Opiaza and Nawat.
But Opiaza’s arrival in India was relatively peaceful, with not a single drop of paint spilled, nor any tomato flying in the air. International pageant portal Missosology posted a video of the arrival, showing a bevy of beauties welcoming the Miss Grand International entourage.
The Miss Grand International organization said Opiaza will be in India until July 14, Monday. No other international visits have been announced for now, but she is expected to be in the Philippines to crown her national successor on Aug. 12.
Twenty-nine aspirants are competing in the 2025 Miss Grand International Philippines pageant. Aside from Opiaza’s successor, the national competition will also proclaim the new Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, Face of Beauty Philippines, and Miss Asia Pacific International Philippines. /ra
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