Miss Grand International 2024 CJ Opiaza gets emotional at her crowning ceremony
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Miss Grand International 2024 CJ Opiaza described her crowning as “historic win for the Philippines.”
Tears flowed freely as the newly-minted Miss Grand International 2024 CJ Opiaza was crowned at a ceremony in Bangkok earlier today.
The ceremony was broadcast on the GrandTV YouTube channel at 2 p.m. Bangkok Time or 3 p.m. Philippine Time and was attended by Filipino fans, Miss Grand International Philippines national director Arnold Vegafria, and Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil.
In the speech she delivered after being crowned, CJ recalled how she just used to be one of many delegates hoping to bring pride to their respective countries and now she has become a titleholder.
“This moment is so surreal right now. I was in the same place, months ago, competing for my country, the Philippines, and hoping to make you guys proud. I am just one of those hopeful candidates who wanted to bring pride to my country and I was able to bring home a first runner-up crown,” she recalled. “And I'm really, really grateful to have been part of the roster of such amazing women from all around the globe, to be representing their country. And of course, of being an international ambassador of the Miss Grand International organization.”
In the midst of tears, she also joked about how long it took for her to be crowned as the 2024 Miss Grand International.
“There's one thing I want to share with you guys. I just want to make the whole room a little lighter. There was one specific event before when I was still a candidate, it was during the dinner. There was a question Papa (Nawat) asked me. He said, 'Philippines, why so late?' I'm asking the same question back, 'Papa, why so late?'” she said.
CJ also expressed her readiness to take on the responsibilities expected of her as the new Miss Grand International.
“Before I signed up for this job, I know I was born ready, I am always ready, and now I have been given the challenge and I am taking that challenge and I am taking the responsibility to be your first runner-up and now to be your Miss Grand International 2024,” she said.
Finally, CJ emphasized that this is a historic moment for the Philippine pageant community.
“I know this moment is so sudden. There's a moment of transition and change. But that's how we grow as individuals. That's how we win in life,” she said. “There are different versions and meanings of winning in life, but this is my golden moment. This is a historic win for the Philippines.”
RELATED GALLERY: Here's what CJ Opiaza has been doing since Miss Grand International
CJ became the 2024 Miss Grand International after the previous titleholder, Rachel Gupta was stripped of her title.
In a Facebook post, the Miss Grand International (MGI) organization cited Rachel's “failure to fulfill her assigned duties, engagement in external projects without prior approval from the organization, and her refusal to participate in the scheduled trip to Guatemala.”
Read the announcement below.
After the announcement, the MGI organization teased CJ taking the crown by posting an Instagram Reel featuring her along with the caption “Being a queen isn't just about outer beauty -- it begins within. Stay tuned!”
CJ confirmed this a day later when she CJ uploaded multiple photos on her Instagram account of her wearing a red creation by designer Francis Libiran, paired with earrings from local jewelry brand Kataw. In the caption to the post, CJ wrote that she is a phoenix rising from the golden ashes for a comeback to “conquer the grandest heights” before declaring that she is the 2024 Miss Grand International .
The Miss Grand Philippines is now currently looking for the successor to CJ, with more than 20 candidates vying for the crown. Check this year's Miss Grand Philippines candidates in the gallery below.
