Rachel Gupta of India resigns as Miss Grand International 2025
Rachel Gupta (left) and CJ Opiaza in happier times/MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL FACEBOOK PHOTO
Reigning Miss Grand International Rachel Gupta had just decided to rescind her crown, but the global pageant organization has not announced who shall succeed her just yet.
Gupta, who became the first Miss Grand International winner from India in the pageant’s 12th edition held in Thailand in October 2024, announced her decision in a social media post on Wednesday, May 28.
“It is with deep regret that I share this news: I have made the decision to step down as Miss Grand International 2024 and return my crown,” Gupta said.
“Being crowned was one of the most cherished dreams of my life, and I was filled with hope and pride to represent my country and make history. However, the months following my crowning have been marked by broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment I can no longer endure in silence,” she continued.
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Before this, the Miss Grand International organization had already cut ties with the previous national director from India, the one who fielded Gupta in the competition.
‘Difficult journey’
Gupta said her decision to abdicate her thrown “was not made lightly.”
“In the coming days, I will be releasing a full video sharing the details behind this difficult journey. I ask for your compassion, your open hearts, and your continued support as I take this next step,” she said.
Gupta further told her supporters in the caption: “I’m truly sorry if this news has disappointed you. Please know this wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one for me.”
Amid her disagreements with MGI, she said the truth will come out very soon.
Troublemaker
Following Gupta’s social media post, the Miss Grand International pageant also released an official announcement on social media on the same day.
“The Miss Grand International Organization hereby announces the termination of Miss Rachel Gupta’s title as Miss Grand International 2024, effective immediately,” read the statement.
A screenshot of MGI’s statement on Rachel Gupta’s “termination.”
MGI president Nawat Itsaragrisil, however, had something worse to say about Gupta. “She is not ready to work and [a] troublemaker,” he said on Instagram as he posted the organization’s official statement.
The organization further said Gupta had been remiss of her duties and had engaged in projects without prior approval, and also refused to take part in a scheduled Guatemala trip.
“The organization has resolved to revoke her title with immediate effect. Miss Rachel Gupta is no longer authorized to use the title or wear the crown associated with Miss Grand International 2024,” the organization said.
The international pageant organization also demanded that Gupta return her Miss Grand International crown to the pageant’s headquarters in Bangkok “within 30 days from the date of this notice.”
But the statement did not mention if Filipino queen Christine Julianne Opiaza will take over the remainder of Gupta’s reign. She came second to the Indian beauty at the competition.
To date, the Miss Grand International crown has remained elusive to Filipino contenders. Aside from Opiaza, Nicole Cordoves and Samantha Bernado also finished as first runners-up in 2016 and 2020, respectively.
The national search for the Philippines’ delegate to the Miss Grand International is currently running, with pageant veterans Michelle Arceo, Nikki Buenafe, and Anita Rose Gomez in the competition. /edv
