CJ Opiaza has been officially crowned Miss Grand International 2024, becoming the first Filipina to hold the title following the resignation of original winner Rachel Gupta of India.
The coronation ceremony took place on June 3 in Bangkok, Thailand, where an emotional CJ received the golden crown from Miss Grand International (MGI) President Nawat Itsaragrisil. Also in attendance was Arnold Vegafria, the Philippines’ MGI national director.
In her victory speech, CJ shared a heartfelt message of determination and destiny.
“I know the best things happen for a reason. You just have to wait for that very specific moment, but you have to hold on and do whatever it takes,” she said. “I am always ready—and now I’ve been given the challenge, and I am taking the challenge and the responsibility… now, as your Miss Grand International 2024.”
CJ had placed as 1st runner-up in the Miss Grand International 2024 pageant held last year. Following Gupta’s resignation on May 28, CJ was elevated to the top title the following day. Her official crowning makes her the first Filipina to win the MGI title since the pageant’s inception.
Opiaza is set to crown her successor during the Miss Grand International 2025 finals, scheduled for October 18, 2025, at the MGI Hall in Bangkok.
But in a fascinating pageant parallel, CJ’s story mirrors a “what could have been” in Philippine pageantry history.
Back in 1973, Evangeline Pascual, who was then Miss World 1st runner-up, was offered the Miss World title after the reigning queen, Marjorie Wallace of the USA, was dethroned just 104 days into her reign. However, Evangeline declined the offer due to prior film commitments in the Philippines. Instead, the duties were passed on to 2nd runner-up Patsy Yuen of Jamaica—although no formal crowning took place.
Evangeline famously turned down the offer, saying she didn’t want a “second-hand crown.” Her decision left a lasting “what if” in Philippine beauty pageant history, as the title was never formally reassigned.
It wasn’t until 2013 that the Philippines officially celebrated a Miss World winner—Megan Young, who triumphed in Bali, Indonesia.
