Miss Grand International

Miss Grand International
TypeInternational women's beauty pageant
Parent organizationMGI PCL
HeadquartersBangkok, Thailand
First edition2013
Most recent edition2023
Current titleholderLuciana Fuster
 Peru
President and founder
Nawat Itsaragrisil
Vice President
Teresa Chaivisut
Language/sEnglish
Websitemissgrandinternational.com

Miss Grand International also known as Miss Grand is an international beauty pageant franchise that was based in Thailand. It consists of the annual national pageant Miss Grand Thailand, as well as the international competition Miss Grand International, to which participating rights are licensed to organizers in other countries. The franchise has been owned and run by a Thai stock exchange-listed company with the same name, also known as MGI PCL, since its inception in 2013,[1][2] with Nawat Itsaragrisil as the president.[3]

The current Miss Grand International is Luciana Fuster of Peru who was crowned on 25 October 2023.[4]

History

Miss Grand International was founded in 2013 by Nawat Itsaragrisil, a Thai television host and producer. The pageant was founded in Thailand amidst a political crisis, inspiring the organizers to use the slogan 'No mob, Stop the Wars' as part of its identity,[5] later rephrased to 'Stop the War and Violence' in the following year.[6][7][8] The pageant aims to promote peace by being against all kinds of conflicts.[9][6]

The pageant has primarily been focusing on humanitarian issues with the reigning titleholders dedicating their year to work as the organization's spokesperson as well as involved in the charity events related to the said campaigns.[9][10] For instance, corresponding with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to raise funds available for humanitarian aid,[11] visiting and donated necessities to the internally displaced people in the refugee camps,[12][13][14][15] being the guest speaker at the related events and act as the ambassador of the NGOs (e.g., Catholic Medical Mission Board, Model United Nations),[16][17] or taking part in any projects of the local charitable organization in the visited countries.[16][18][19] Before 2021, the winner of the contest, together with all runners-up, often serve as the campaigners of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, to promote the tourism industry of the pageant-based country.[20][21]

The contest features contestants selected by licensees in each country. Its first three competitions were held in Thailand under the sponsorship of the country's government and televised worldwide via Channel 7,[7] while subsequent events have also taken place overseas,[22] and was broadcast via the local television channels together with the social media platforms including its official YouTube channel and Facebook page.[23]

In 2019, the pageant was being held in Venezuela amid the country's political crisis; several candidates withdrew from the competition due to security concerns and visa regulation problems, such as South Korea, Cambodia, and Laos.[24][25][26][27] Later in 2020, the pageant was also scheduled to be held in Venezuela on 25 October but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed to 2021 and the venue was moved to Bangkok, Thailand.[28]

Contestant selection

Spanish preliminary pageant for Miss Grand International, Miss Grand Spain 2019, held at Hotel Campomar in Cantabria on 6 July 2019

The contestants of each edition of the pageant were selected by the franchise holder in respective countries or territories, through either a national contest, internal casting, or being hand-picked.[29][30] In its first decade, due to being a newly established pageant, almost half of the participating contestants were appointed; no national pageant was held. Nonetheless, in pageant-popular countries, especially in the Far East and the Americas,[25] annual national pageants are usually being held to crown a winner for the Miss Grand International pageant.[31] For example, Miss Grand Cambodia, Miss Grand Malaysia, Miss Grand Nepal, and Miss Grand Paraguay.[32][33][34][35] Some of the participatants were the runner-up or obtained the title in other national pageants, e.g. the delegates from Femina Miss India (2015–2021), Binibining Pilipinas (2013, 2015 – 2022), Miss Mexico (2017 – 2020),[36][37][38] Felvidék Szépe (2015 – 2017), etc.[39][40][41]

Despite not being considered an economically popular event in Europe and Africa, many countries have conducted national pageants separately for Miss Grand, for instance, Albania,[42] Kosovo,[43] Spain,[44][45] France,[46] Italy,[47] and South Africa. In Spain, Italy, and several countries in Asia, each administrative division (i.e. province, state, region) holds a preliminary competition to choose their delegate for the national pageant.[44][47][48][49] Moreover, in some provinces of Spain, Malaysia, and Thailand, third-level divisions' pageants are also held to determine delegates for the provincial competition, in which winners hold the title "Miss Grand (Province)" for the year of their reign.[44][50][49] Unfortunately, cultural impediments in the swimsuit competition have precluded some countries, such as ultraconservative and Muslim countries, from participating,[51][52] while some countries have not participated because of a lacking of funding.[53]

Although the title of Miss Grand pageant was global registered copyright, some national or local pageants unrelated to the Miss Grand International has been observed such as the Azerbaijan model search contest named "Miss and Mister Grand Azerbaijan" which was organized by Elxan Pashayev since 2018,[54][55] '"Miss Zimbabwe Grand", headed by Farai Zembeni since 2019, the pageant finalists participate in various continental contests in Africa,[56][57] as well as the local pageant in the Bahamas, "Miss Grand Bahama", established in 1970, which the name "Grand Bahama" refer to the third largest island in the northernmost region of the country.[58]

Main pageant

Miss Grand International is the platform's annual international beauty pageant. Its inaugural edition was held in Bangkok in 2013 under sponsorship from Thailand's government[7][59] and featured 73 participating countries; the inaugural titleholder was Janelee Chaparro of Puerto Rico.[60][61] In 2016, the pageant was held for the first time outside Thailand, at Westgate Las Vegas, Las Vegas, US, on 25 October.[23] Since 2015, the grand final is usually held on 25 October each year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 editions of the pageant were delayed, the 2020 edition was first scheduled to be held on 25 October 2020, but was postponed to 27 March 2021, and the venue was also moved to Bangkok, Thailand,[28] similar to the 2021 edition which was held in December 2021, two months behind the traditional schedule.[62]

The current Miss Grand International titleholder is Luciana Fuster of Peru, who was crowned on 25 October 2023 at Phú Thọ Indoor Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam making her the second woman from Peru to win the crown.

Edition Date Final venue Host country Entrants Ref.
2013 19 November Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Thailand 71 [60]
2014 7 October Indoor Stadium Huamark, Bangkok 85 [63]
2015 25 October 77 [59]
2016 Westgate Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada United States 74 [64]
2017 Vinpearl Convention Center, Phú Quốc Vietnam 77 [65]
2018 The One Entertainment Park, Yangon Myanmar 75 [66]
2019 Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas Venezuela 60 [67]
2020 27 March 2021 Show DC Hall, Bangkok Thailand 63 [68]
2021 4 December 59 [62]
2022 25 October Sentul International Convention Center, West Java Indonesia 68 [69]
2023 Phú Thọ Indoor Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam 69 [70]
2024 TBA TBA [71]

Pre-pageant activities

The pre-pageant activities of Miss Grand International usually consist of three main events, the swimsuit competition, a national costume parade, and the preliminary contest. The swimsuit competition is organized at a separate venue to determine the winner of the Best in Swimsuit award while the national costume and the preliminary round of each edition are usually held at the same venue of the grand final round.[72][73] All aforementioned events are live streamed via the pageant's Facebook and YouTube accounts.[73] In the preliminary round, all contestants will compete in swimwear and evening gowns in front of a panel of preliminary judges.[73] Each round of the preliminary competition and the Swimsuit competition will determine the winner of Best Evening Gown and Best in Swimsuit awards which will be announced later on the final stage of the contest as well as the winner of other special awards including Best National Costume and Miss Popular vote. Moreover, the scores from all ancillary events, preliminary competition, together with a closed-door interview portion and the swimsuit competition, also determine the Top 20 finalists during the grand final telecast of the pageant.[74]

List of the main special award winners in the Miss Grand International pageant
Edition Best in Swimsuit Best National Costume Best Evening Gown Miss Popular Vote Country's Power of The Year Best Social Media Ref.
2013  Latvia  China  Dominican Republic  Myanmar Award given since 2020. Not Awarded [61]
2014  Thailand  Vietnam  Indonesia  Cambodia  Japan [63]
2015  Costa Rica  Philippines  Japan  Sri Lanka  India [75]
2016  Bahamas  Indonesia  England  Korea  Jamaica [10]
2017  Costa Rica  Indonesia  China  Indonesia  Paraguay [65]
2018  Cuba  Peru  Thailand  Vietnam  Indonesia [76]
2019  Panama  Ecuador  Peru  Vietnam Not Awarded [77]
2020  Brazil
3 Countries
  •  Guatemala
     Japan
     Thailand
 Mexico  Malaysia  Cambodia [78]
2021  Puerto Rico
3 Countries
  •  Angola
     Malaysia
     Peru
 Thailand  Cambodia Not Awarded [79]
2022 Not Awarded
4 Countries
  •  Peru
     Thailand
     United Kingdom
     Vietnam
 Mexico  Mauritius  Vietnam  Czech Republic [80]
2023  Dominican Republic
3 Countries
  •  Japan
     Nigeria
     Vietnam
 Russia  Myanmar  Myanmar Not Awarded [81]

Grand Final

The opening show of the 2021 grand final, performed by Abena Appiah Miss Grand International 2020 together with all 2021 delegates

The grand final of the pageant is usually broadcast worldwide on television and the social media platforms of the pageant. As the tradition of the pageant, twenty semi-finalists are chosen from the initial pool of contestants through observation during the entire pageant, a closed-door interview, swimsuit round as well as a preliminary competition, which featured contestants competing in swimsuits and evening gowns.[74][82] However, the "Country of the year" was first introduced in 2020 edition, which was selected by the audience on social networks.[9][83] The winner of this category automatically enters the twenty finalists regardless of all previous scores.[83] The Top 20 would then compete in a swimsuit competition, with 10 of them advancing to the Top 10,[82] this number eventually was reduced to 9 with the 10th semi-finalist being the Top Popularity Winner determined through mobile voting,[74][9] all 10 semi-finalists would then compete in an evening gown and give their speeches with a ‘Stop the War and Violence' theme.[84][85]

After the speech round and evening gown competitions, the judges then select the top five to compete in the question-and-answer portion,[82][84] where all entrants will be asked the same question about an ongoing global situation; such as the management of COVID-19 pandemic crisis,[86] the 2016 United States presidential election,[10][64] and the ongoing socioeconomic and political crisis in Venezuela.[87] The judges will select the winner based on their answer and all previous accumulate scores, then the host will sequentially announce the fourth, third and second runners-up.[78][88] The last 2 candidates of the top 5 finalists will stand in the center of the stage then one of them will be named Miss Grand International.[9][78][89][90][88]

The summary of the pageant selection process is shown below.

Miss Grand International Selection Criteria[91]
Events
Rounds/Awards
Post-crowned
domestic activities
International pageant camp
Ancillary events Online processes Closed-door interview Sub-contests Preliminary contest Grand final
Swimsuit competition National costume section Swimsuit round Evening gown round Swimsuit round Evening gown round Speech round Q&A portion
Quarter-finalist (Top 20) 1 spot: 2020,2022[i]
Semi-finalist (Top 10) 1 spot, 2015–present[ii]
Finalist (Top 5)
Winner
Special awards
Country of the year Twice in 2020, 2022[i]
Best National costume 2016–present 2013–present
Best in Swimsuit 2016–present 2013–present 2013–present
Best Evening gown 2021–present 2013–present
Best Social media 2014–2022
Miss Popular vote[ii] 2013–present
   The events/rounds that are used to determine the qualifier (s).
   Awarded, category still exists
   Awarded, category renamed
   Awarded, category no longer exists
  1. ^ a b The winner of Country of the Year award was automatically placed at Top 20 finalists in 2020 edition, regardless of the accumulated score.
  2. ^ a b The winner of Miss Popular vote award has been automatically placing at Top 10 finalists since 2015, regardless of the accumulated score.

Crowns and awards

As the tradition of this pageant, the crown of the title holders, known as the Golden Crown, has been set to be changed every 3 years,[92] all versions of the Golden Crown are made of gold and brass for structural integrity, while the exterior is adorned by diamond, and emerald.[22] Its first version was designed by a Thai jewellery design company, God Diamond, headed by Chawalit Chommuang,[93] and was used for the first three editions of the pageant.[22] The crown used from 2016 – 2018 (2nd version) and 2019 – 2021 (3rd version) was designed by an unrevealed company and George Wittels, respectively.[22][67][94]

The latest version of the golden crown, which was going to be used for the 2022 – 2024 edition, was also made by a Venezuelan jewellery designer, George Wittels,[95] who signed as the official jewel sponsor of the Miss Grand International Organization during 2019 – 2024.[67][94] He additionally designed the crown for all four runners-up of the pageant since the 2019 edition, the first time that the organization provided the crown for the runner-up positions.[94]

Since 2014, the organizer has also been offering USD$ 40,000 cash to each year winner for spending a year work as the organization's spokesperson in its campaign,[33][75][78][96] the prize was increased from USD$ 30,000 in 2013;[61][96] however, some Vietnamese media published that Nguyễn Thúc Thùy Tiên earned USD$ 60,000 for winning the contest in 2021.[92] Furthermore, all four runners-up of each edition, also received cash prizes, ABS-CBN reported that Samantha Bernardo of the Philippines got USD$ 6,000 in cash after she had obtained the first runner-up title at the Miss Grand International 2020 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand,[97] Vartika Singh of India received USD$ 4,000 for her second runner-up finish at the 2015 edition,[98][99] and 3,000 and US$$2,000 for the third and fourth runners-up, respectively.[99] Besides the finalists, the winner of each special award also received a prize; approximately USD$ 1,000 – 3,000 according to the 2013 to 2015 contests.[96][99][100][101]

After relinquishing the crown to the successor, the immediate predecessor is provided with a replica tiara; the replica is usually produced by the same designer as its master.

Gallery of Miss Grand International crowns

Recent Titleholders

Edition Country Titleholder National Title Venue of Competition Number of Entrants
2023  Peru Luciana Fuster Miss Grand Peru 2023 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 69
2022  Brazil Isabella Menin Miss Grand Brazil 2022 West Java, Indonesia 68
2021  Vietnam Nguyễn Thúc Thùy Tiên Miss Grand Vietnam 2021 Bangkok, Thailand 59
2020  United States Abena Appiah Miss Grand United States of America 2020
63
2019  Venezuela Valentina Figuera El Concurso by Osmel Sousa 2018 Caracas, Venezuela 60
Winners gallery
Country/Territory by number of wins
Miss Grand International's winning countries and territories by the number of wins
Color key:
  2 titles
  1 dethroned title
  1 title
  1 temporarily assumed title
List of countries by number of Miss Grand International wins
Number of win (s) Country/Territory Years
2
 Peru 2017, 2023
1
 Brazil 2022
 Vietnam 2021
 United States 2020
 Venezuela 2019
 Paraguay 2018
 Indonesia 2016
 Australia[a] 2015
 Dominican Republic[b]
 Cuba 2014
 Puerto Rico 2013

Continents by number of wins

Continent or region Titles Years
Americas 8 2013, 2014, 2015[b], 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
Asia 2 2016, 2021
Oceania 1 2015[a]
Europe 0
Africa 0
Notes
  1. ^ a b Originally placed 1st runner-up. Assumed as the winner after the original titleholder was dethroned.
  2. ^ a b Dethroned

Miss Grand National

In addition to Thailand, several national licensees have been separately organizing their preliminary pageants to select the representatives for the Miss Grand International pageant. As listed below, the lists were divided into 4 geographic continent groups, including; Africa, the Americas, Asia-Oceania, and Europe.

Legend
  Active: The most recent titleholder was chosen through the Miss Grand National pageant.
  Inactive: Miss Grand National pageant was defunct, the current titleholder was appointed without organizing any contest, or no representative
  Merged: Miss Grand National pageant was merged into other pageants, and one of those pageants' finalists was elected Miss Grand titleholder
  Projected: Miss Grand National pageant was supposed to be held in the year mentioned.
Pageant First
edition
Status Note
Miss Grand national pageants in Africa
Botswana Miss Grand Botswana 2014 Inactive Held only once in 2014, by a South Africa-based businessperson, Dineo Matlapeng.[102]
Ghana Miss Grand Ghana 2020 Active Separately organized 2 times; in 2020 by Legacy Pageants Limited, and another in 2022 by Akuaba Entertainment.
Liberia Miss Grand Liberia 2021 Inactive Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the pageant was held virtually.
Namibia Miss Grand Namibia 2015 Inactive Held as a stand-alone contest three times during 2015 – 2018, by Magnolia Events Management (ML Events Artistry).[103][104][105][106]
Nigeria Miss Grand Nigeria 2015 Merged Individually organized twice, in 2015 and 2016. Since 2020, the titleholder has been determined through The Nigerian Queen pageant.
South Africa Miss Grand South Africa 2015 Active Held annually since 2015 by different organizers.
Tanzania Miss Grand Tanzania 2017 Inactive Happened once in 2017, by Rasheedah Jamaldin.[107][108]
Zimbabwe Miss Grand Zimbabwe 2013 Inactive Held once in 2013 by Samantha Tshuma.[109][110][111]
Miss Grand national pageants in Asia and Oceania
Australia Miss Grand Australia 2014 Active Held annually since 2014, by different organizers.[112]
Cambodia Miss Grand Cambodia 2015 Active Separately organized annually since 2015.[113] Its first five editions (2015 – 2019) was arranged under the direction of Boonkerd Angamnuaysiri. Since 2020, the license has belonged to Mohahang Production.[114][115]
China Miss Grand China Cancelled The inaugural edition was expected to be held in 2021 but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[116][117]
Indonesia Miss Grand Indonesia 2015 Merged Held as a stand-alone contest 3 times during 2018 – 2020.[118] Beginning in 2023, the winner of a newly established national beauty contest, Miss Mega Bintang Indonesia, will be assumed to be Miss Grand Indonesia.[119]
Japan Miss Grand Japan 2015 Active Held annually since 2015, by Eriko Yoshi [ja].[120]
South Korea Miss Grand Korea 2017 Active Held annually since 2017 by different organizers.[121][122]
Laos Miss Grand Laos 2017 Active Held individually 3 times, in 2017, 2018, and 2022.[123][124]
Malaysia Miss Grand Malaysia 2013 Active Held annually since 2013 by three different organizers.[125]
Myanmar Miss Grand Myanmar 2016 Inactive Separately held once in 2016 by Style Plus H.[126]
Nepal Miss Grand Nepal 2016 Active Held annually since 2016 by three different organizers.[127]
Philippines Miss Grand Philippines 2014 Merged Separately held once in 2014. During 2015 - 2022, the franchise belonged to the Binibining Pilipinas.[128]
Sri Lanka Miss Grand Sri Lanka 2016 Inactive Held twice, in 2016, and 2018.[129][130]
Thailand Miss Grand Thailand 2013 Active Held annually since 2013.[131]
Vietnam Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 Active Held annually since 2022, by Sen Vang Entertainment.[132]
Miss Grand national pageants in Europe
Albania Miss Grand Albania 2014 Inactive Held in parallel with Miss Grand Kosovo from 2014 to 2018, then was separated into a stand-alone contest in 2019.[133][134][135]
Belgium Miss Grand Belgium 2021 Active Under the direction of Carolyn Collinda, the contest was organized twice, in 2021 and 2022.[136][137]
France Miss Grand France 2019 Active Held annually since 2019.[138][139][140][141]
Italy Miss Grand Italy 2019 Active Held annually since 2019, by Giuseppe Puzio.[142][143][144]
Kosovo Miss Grand Kosovo 2014 Inactive Held in parallel with Miss Grand Albania from 2014 to 2018, then was separated into a stand-alone contest in 2019.
Netherlands Miss Grand Netherlands 2016 Active Held as a stand-alone pageant in 2016 – 2018. The other titleholders were determined through either the Miss Supranational Netherlands (2014 – 2015) or the 12 Months of Beauty (2020 and 2022) pageants.
Spain Miss Grand Spain 2016 Active Under the management of Vicente Gonzalez, the pageant has been organized as a stand-alone pageant since 2016.[145][146]
United Kingdom Miss Grand United Kingdom 2015 Inactive Held separately twice, in 2015 by Holly Louise, and in 2021 by Megan Darlington.
Miss Grand national pageants in North America
The Bahamas Miss Grand Bahamas 2018 Inactive Held only once in 2018, by Navado Dawkins.[147][148]
Canada Miss Grand Canada 2017 Merged Separately organized 3 times; in 2017 and 2018 by Di Benedetto Models agency,[149][150] and another in 2021 by the Pageant Group Canada Inc.[151] The country delegates for the Miss Grand International pageant have been selected via the Miss World Canada competition since 2022.
Costa Rica Miss Grand Costa Rica 2022 Active Held once in 2022 by the Concurso Nacional de Belleza de Costa Rica [es] (CNB Costa Rica).[152]
Cuba Miss Grand Cuba 2023 Projected
Curaçao Miss Grand Curaçao 2014 Inactive Held as a separate pageant only once in 2014, by the Señorita Curaçao organization.[153][154]
Dominican Republic Miss Grand Dominican Republic 2016 Inactive Held once in 2016 by Chantel Martinez, the first runner-up Miss Grand International 2013.[155][156]
Guatemala Miss Grand Guatemala 2023 Projected
Honduras Miss Grand Honduras 2022 Active First organized in 2022 to determine country representative for the 2022 and 2023 editions of Miss Grand International.[157][158][159]
Mexico Miss Grand Mexico 2023 Projected
Nicaragua Miss Grand Nicaragua 2021 Active Organized individually once in 2021 by Saúl Benítez, to elect the winners for the 2021 and 2022 editions of Miss Grand International.[160][161]
United States Miss Grand United States 2016 Active Held annually since 2016.[162]
Miss Grand national pageants in South America
Brazil Miss Grand Brazil 2014 Active Held annually since 2014.[163][164][165]
Chile Miss Grand Chile 2017 Active Organized annually since 2017 by different organizers.[166][167]
Colombia Miss Grand Colombia 2018 Active Held individually twice; in 2018 by Top 3 Latam,[168] and 2022 by César Prado.[169]
Ecuador Miss Grand Ecuador 2021 Active Held separately once in 2021 by Tahiz Panuz, the president of the CNB Ecuador.[170]
Paraguay Miss Grand Paraguay 2017 Active Separately held annually since 2017, by Mygami Producciones SRL.[171][172]
Peru Miss Grand Peru 2023 Active The first edition was expected to happen in mid-2023.
Venezuela Miss Grand Venezuela 2022 Active First organized in 2022 to determined the country representative for Miss Grand International 2023.[173][174]

Liberia

Liberia entered the Miss Grand International pageant for the first time in 2021. The country representative was Hajamaya Mulbah, one of the Miss Grand Liberia 2021 finalists, who was promoted to replace the original winner of such a contest, Goretti Itoka.[175][176][177] The organizers cited Itoka wished to relinquish the title willingly, howbeit, Itoka later contended that she was removed without any direct clarification from the organizers.[175][176][177] The Ministry of Information, Culture affairs, and Tourism of Liberia (MICAT) was also involved to manipulate the situation and has sent a communication document to the organizer, however, no organizer's official response.[177]

The Miss Grand Liberia 2021 is the inaugural edition of Miss Grand Liberia beauty contest, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the pageant was held virtually via Zoom application featuring 9 national finalists, in which a social media marketing strategist and the former Miss Mano River Union, Goretti Itoka, was elected as the national winner.[175][178]

Botswana

Botswana joined the Miss Grand International only once in 2014, with the representation of Lillian Lillie Dlamini, who won the inaugural national contest Miss Grand International Botswana 2014, outclassing 12 other finalists,[179] The event was held on 26 July at Cresta Lodge Hotel in Gaborone, under the management of Dineo Matlapeng, a South Africa-based businessperson.[102]

Miss Grand Botswana National Finalists (1)
Edition
1st 2nd
2014 TBD
Central Tsaone Boikhutso
Chobe Modeline Mbaakanyi
Francistown
Gaborone Lillian Molose (W)
Ghanzi Oweditse Phirinyane
Jwaneng Onalenna Phofedi
Kgalagadi Kefilwe Barobetse
Kgatleng Andreanne Gasebalwe
Kweneng Gaolebale Lekau
Lobatse Gomolemo Majafhe
Miss Grand Botswana National Finalists (2)
Edition
1st 2nd
2014 TBD
Ngamiland Tebogo Lebanna
North-East Carole Ngisi
Orapa
Selebi-Phikwe
Southern Lebogang Kaisara
South-East Kelly Charles
Sowa
Total 13
Color keys:
 W  Winner
 R  Runners-up
  Unplaced

Participating countries and territories

National franchises have a lot of latitude in choosing candidates for Miss Grand International. Some are the winners of individual contests for their Miss Grand International, others get the honor by winning first or second runner-up from contests for candidates to multiple international pageants, and yet others are chosen in different ways.

The following is the list of Miss Grand International participating countries and territories, the competition result, as well as the national licensee entities since 2013. The list was divided into 6 groups based on the geographic continents.

Africa

Color key:
 Declared as the winner
10 Top 10 finalists
C Withdrew during the competition
 First runner-up
20 Top 20 finalists
R Representative determined but did not compete
 Second runner-up
Y Unplaced
N No representative
 Third runner-up
 Fourth runner-up
Miss Grand national licensees in African countries.
The list can be scrolled manually or interactively.
Country/territory Year of participation[180][181]
Year '0 '1 '2 '3 '4 '5 '6 '7 '8 '9
Licensee
 Algeria
2010s No pageant Y R R N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
 Angola
2010s No pageant R N 20 N N N N
2020s N 20 Y 10 [to be determined]
Current: Márcia de Menezes (2021 – present)[182]
Former licensees
  • 2015: Meriam Kaxuxwena
 Botswana
2010s No pageant N Y N N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Cameroon
2010s No pageant R Y N R N N N
2020s N N R N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2014 – 2016: Miss Prestige Cameroun Organization
 Cape Verde
2010s No pageant N N N N N Y N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2018: Priscilla Gomes
 Congo, Democratic Republic of the
2010s No pageant N R N N N N N
2020s N N R N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2014: Naise Gumanda
  • 2022: Caroline Kondé[184]
 Egypt
2010s No pageant Y N Y Y Y N Y
2020s Y Y N Y [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Ethiopia
2010s No pageant Y Y Y Y N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Gabon
2010s No pageant R N N N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2013: Mbou Wouono Henriette
 Ghana
2010s No pageant N N Y N N Y N
2020s R N Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Abena Appiah (2022–present)[186]
Former licensees
  • 2015 – 2016: Charlee Berbicks
  • 2018: Oklepeme Foundation
  • 2020: Legacy Pageants Ltd.
 Guinea
2010s No pageant Y N N N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2013: Jasmine Sjöberg Sidibe
 Ivory Coast
2010s No pageant N Y N N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2014: Richlove Amissah
 Kenya
2010s No pageant Y N Y N N N N
2020s 20 N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Liberia
2010s No pageant N N N N N N N
2020s N Y N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Mauritius
2010s No pageant N Y N Y N N Y
2020s Y Y 10 N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2014: Miss India Worldwide Mauritius Organization
  • 2016: Miss Supranational Mauritius Organization
  • 2019 – 2022:Ahmad Abbas[189]
 Mozambique
2010s No pageant N N N N N N N
2020s N N Y N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
2022: Pinto Música[190]
 Namibia
2010s No pageant Y R Y R R R N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2013: Beauties of Africa Inc.
  • 2015 – 2016: Magnolia Events Management[104][103] (By Magnolia Kuhanga)[106]
 Nigeria
2010s No pageant R Y Y Y Y N Y
2020s Y 20 20 20 [to be determined]
Current: The Nigerian Queen Org. (2020–present)[191]
Former licensees
 Réunion
2010s No pageant N N N N N N Y
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2019: Laëtitia Hoareau-Boyer
 Rwanda
2010s No pageant N N N Y N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2016: Sonia Gisa
 Seychelles
2010s No pageant N N N N N N N
2020s N N N Y [to be determined]
Current: Gabriella Gonthier (2023)[194]
Former licensees
  • No former licensee
 Sierra Leone
2010s No pageant N N N N Y Y N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2017 – 2019: IAMSL Pageant Agency
 South Africa
2010s No pageant N N Y Y Y Y 20
2020s Y Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Maggy Dee Productions (2015 – Present)[195]
Former licensees
  • 2015: Reinhardt Drewel Foundation
 South Sudan
2010s No pageant N Y Y Y 10 N N
2020s N N N R [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2014 – 2017: Atong Demach[196]
 Tanzania
2010s No pageant N Y N N Y Y N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Tunisia
2010s No pageant N N Y N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Uganda
2010s No pageant Y N Y N Y N N
2020s N N Y N [to be determined]
Current: Oliver Nakakande Foundation (2022–present)[197]
Former licensees
  • 2013, 2015, 2017: Afrost Uganda Marketing Ltd.
 Zambia
2010s No pageant N N N N N Y R
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Zimbabwe
2010s No pageant Y Y N N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees

Asia

Color key:
 Declared as the winner
10 Top 10 finalists
C Withdrew during the competition
 First runner-up
20 Top 20 finalists
R Representative determined but did not compete
 Second runner-up
Y Unplaced
N No representative
 Third runner-up
 Fourth runner-up
Miss Grand national licensees in Asian countries.
The list can be scrolled manually or interactively.
Country/territory Year of participation[180][181]
Year '0 '1 '2 '3 '4 '5 '6 '7 '8 '9
Licensee
 Armenia
2010s No pageant N N N N N N Y
2020s N Y N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
 Bangladesh
2010s No pageant R R R N N N N
2020s N Y Y N [to be determined]
Current: Hiam Amani Hafizuddin (2021–present)
Former licensees
Bashkortostan
2010s No pageant N N N N N N Y
2020s Y N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2019 – 2020: Miss Bash Models Agency
 Cambodia
2010s No pageant R Y Y R Y Y R
2020s 20 10 10 Y [to be determined]
Current: Sokunthea Im (2023 – present)[203]
Former licensees
  • 2014 – 2019: Boonkerd Angamnuaysiri[204]
  • 2020 – 2022: Phalitakam Mohahang Co., Ltd (Mohahang Production) (2020–present)[205][206]
 China
2010s No pageant 20 Y Y Y 20 Y Y
2020s Y R Y N [to be determined]
Current: Shirley Yu (2022–present)
Former licensees
 Georgia
2010s No pageant Y N N N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Hong Kong
2010s No pageant N Y Y Y Y Y N
2020s N Y Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Sasha Wasee (2022-Present)
Former licensees
 India
2010s No pageant Y Y Y 20 Y
2020s Y 20 Y 20 [to be determined]
Current: Glamanand Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (2020, 2022 –Present)[209]
Former licensees
 Indonesia
2010s No pageant Y 10 Y 10 Y
2020s 10 10 [to be determined]
Current: Yayasan Dunia Mega Bintang – Ivan Gunawan (2020–present)[211]
Former licensees
 Iran
2010s No pageant N Y Y N N N N
2020s Y N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
  • 2014 – 2015, 2020: Miss Iran Organization
 Iraq
2010s No pageant N N N Y N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
  • 2016: Klaodia Khalaf
 Israel
2010s No pageant R 20 Y N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
 Japan
2010s No pageant Y 20 10 Y Y 20
2020s 20 Y Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Eriko Inoda (2016 – Present)[214]
Former licensee
  • 2013 – 2015: Stephen I. Diáz
 Kazakhstan
2010s No pageant Y Y N N N 20 N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
  • 2013 – 2015: Miss Grand Kazakhstan Organization (By AIM Studio)
  • 2018: Miss Tourism Russia Organization
 Kurdistan
2010s No pageant N Y C N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2014 – 2015: Dalia Rebwar Hassan[215]
 Kyrgyzstan
2010s No pageant N N N N N N N
2020s N N R N [to be determined]
Current: Miss Kyrgyzstan (2022–present)[216]
Former licensees
  • No former licensee
 Laos
2010s No pageant N N N N 20 Y R
2020s Y Y Y 20 [to be determined]
Current: Saikeo Sidavong (2018 – Present)[217]
Former licensees
 Lebanon
2010s No pageant Y Y N N Y Y Y
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
  • 2013 – 2019: Al-Sawsan International Foundation
 Macau
2010s No pageant Y Y Y 10 Y Y Y
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
 Malaysia
2010s No pageant Y Y Y 20 Y Y Y
2020s 10 20 Y Y [to be determined]
Current: HyperLive Entertainment Pte Ltd. (2022–present)[218]
Former licensee
 Mongolia
2010s No pageant Y Y Y N Y N N
2020s N N Y N [to be determined]
Current:Anton Sergeevi (2022 – TBD)
Former licensee
 Myanmar
2010s No pageant 20 Y Y Y Y Y Y
2020s 20 20 Y [to be determined]
Current: Glamorous International (2021–present)
Former licensee
  • 2013 – 2014: Miss Golden Land Myanmar Organization
  • 2015 – 2016: Style Plus H
  • 2017 – 2020: Miss Universe Myanmar Organization[220]
   Nepal
2010s No pageant Y Y Y N Y Y Y
2020s Y Y Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Izodom Nepal & Cosmo Group (2020 – Present)[221]
Former licensee
  • 2013 – 2016: Looks Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Mero Looks)[127][222]
  • 2017 – 2019: RK Entertainment Group[223]
 Pakistan
2010s No pageant Y Y N N N N N
2020s N Y Y N [to be determined]
Current: Hiam Amani Hafizuddin (2021–present)
Former licensees
 Philippines
2010s No pageant Y Y Y
2020s Y 10 Y [to be determined]
Current: Stella Márquez-Araneta (2015–present)[128]
Former licensees
  • 2013 – 2014: Miss Grand Philippines Org. (By John Dela Vega)[128]
 Siberia
2010s No pageant N N N N N N N
2020s N Y N N [to be determined]
Current: -
Former licensees
  • 2021: Anton Sergeevi
 Singapore
2010s No pageant C Y Y Y R R N
2020s N N Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Iqmal Muhammad (2022–present)
Former licensees
 South Korea
2010s No pageant Y Y Y 10 Y Y R
2020s Y Y Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Korea Premium Brand Association (2020–Present)[226][227]
Former licensees
  • 2013 – 2015: Ronaldo Soriano Trono
  • 2016 – 2019: 1L2H Ltd.[226]
 Sri Lanka
2010s No pageant 10 20 10 Y Y 20 N
2020s Y Y Y C [to be determined]
Current: Brian Kerkoven (2013 – Present)[228]
Former licensees
  • No former licensee
 Taiwan
2010s No pageant N Y Y Y N Y N
2020s N N N Y [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
 Thailand
2010s No pageant 20 10 10 20
2020s 10 Y 10 [to be determined]
Current: Nawat Itsaragrisil (2013–present)[229][230]
Former licensees
  • No former licensee
 Turkey
2010s No pageant N N N Y N N N
2020s N N Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Özcan Yılmaz Agency Model (2022–present)
Former licensees
  • 2016: Diana Osypenko
 Turkmenistan
2010s No pageant N Y N N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2014: No Data Available
 Uzbekistan
2010s No pageant N N N N N N N
2020s N N N 20 [to be determined]
Current: Olinda Cho 卓猷燕 (2023)[231]
Former licensees
  • No former licensee
 Vietnam
2010s No pageant Y Y Y 20 10 10 10
2020s 20 20 [to be determined]
Current: Senvang Entertainment (2018 – Present)[232]
Former licensees
  • 2013 – 2014: MGI Invitation[233][234]
  • 2015 – 2017: Elite Model International[235]

Europe

Color key:
 Declared as the winner
10 Top 10 finalists
C Withdrew during the competition
 First runner-up
20 Top 20 finalists
R Representative determined but did not compete
 Second runner-up
Y Unplaced
N No representative
 Third runner-up
 Fourth runner-up
Miss Grand national licensees in European countries.
The list can be scrolled manually or interactively.
Country/territory Year of participation[180][181]
Year '0 '1 '2 '3 '4 '5 '6 '7 '8 '9
Licensee
 Albania
2010s No pageant R Y Y R R Y Y
2020s Y R N Y [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
  • 2014 – 2015: Sherif Pacolli[236]
  • 2018 - 2021: Aleks Tanushi[42]
 Belarus
2010s No pageant R N Y N Y N Y
2020s Y N Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Anton Sergeevi (2022 – TBD)
Former licensee
  • 2015: No Data Available
  • 2017: No Data Available
  • 2019 – 2020: No Data Available
 Belgium
2010s No pageant Y Y Y Y Y Y N
2020s N Y Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Carolyn Collinda (2021 – Present)[136]
Former licensee
  • 2013: Miss Exclusive Belgium Org.
  • 2014 – 2015: Annick Eycken
  • 2016 – 2017: Miss Toerisme Organisatie Benelux
  • 2018: Elisabeth Moszkowicz
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
2010s No pageant N Y N N N N N
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
  • 2014: No Data Available
 Bulgaria
2010s No pageant N N Y N Y Y Y
2020s Y N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
 Crimea
2010s No pageant R N N N N N N
2020s Y N Y N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
  • 2020: Anton Sergeevi
  • 2022: Sasha Waseem
 Czech Republic
2010s No pageant Y Y 20 Y Y 20
2020s 10 Y 20 [to be determined]
Current: Miss Czech Republic Org./Miss Factory, s.r.o (2015–present)[237]
Former licensee
 Denmark
2010s No pageant C N Y Y Y Y N
2020s N N 20 Y [to be determined]
Current: Miss Danmark Organization (2018, 2022 – present)
Former licensee
  • 2015 – 2017: Miss Queen of Scandinavia Organization
 England
2010s No pageant Y N Y Y Y Y R
2020s 20 R N Y [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2013 – 2014: Miss United Kingdom Organization
  • 2016 – 2019: Pageant Girl Ltd.
  • 2020 – 2021:Megan Darlington
 Estonia
2010s No pageant Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
2020s N N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensee
  • 2013 – 2019: Miss Queen of Scandinavia Organization
 Finland
2010s No pageant Y Y N N Y Y N
2020s Y N N N [to be determined]
Current:
Former licensees
  • 2013 – 2018: Fashion Model Agency[238]
  • 2020: Miss Queen of Scandinavia Organization[citation needed]
 France
2010s No pageant Y Y 20 Y Y N Y
2020s Y 20 Y 20 [to be determined]
Current: Robles Yanez (2023–TBA)
Former licensees
  • 2013 – 2014: Miss Nationale Organization
  • 2015 – 2017: Fashion Models Academy (By Réjane Klein Maurer)
  • 2019 – 2020: Sonia Mansour
  • 2021 – 2021: No data available
 Germany
2010s No pageant Y Y N N Y Y Y
2020s Y 20 Y Y [to be determined]
Current: Miss From Germany (by Leandro Aponte) (2019 - present)[239]
Former licensee
Gibraltar Gibraltar
2010s No pageant N N