PAGEANT Circle

A 26-year-old journalist from Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais), Lorena Rodrigues, has been officially crowned as Miss Grand Brazil 2021. Lorena succeeds last year's Miss Grand Brazil and Miss Grand International 2020 fourth runner-up, Lala Guedes. She will represent her country at the Miss Grand International 2021 pageant. The crowning ceremony took place last Friday, June 25 in the stunning city of Ouro Preto, one of the most important political centers of Brazil’s colonial and imperial times. Photos: Jonas Dias Fotografia

María José Sazo has been officially named Miss Grand Guatemala 2021 on Sunday, June 20. She succeeds Ivana Batchelor, who was second runner-up at Miss Grand International 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand last March. The 21-year-old journalist and communication science student will represent her country Guatemala at the Miss Grand International 2021 pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. María is also a model, language interpreter, illustrator and graphic designer. Photos: Miss Grand Guatemala

Madison Lynn Callaghan of North Carolina was crowned Miss Grand United States of America 2021 in a national competition held on Sunday, June 22 in Rosemont, Illinois. The 25-year-old entrepreneur succeeds Abena Appiah and will represent the USA at the Miss Grand International 2021 pageant, whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Taylor Gipson was named first runner-up while Gennesis Padron was the second runner-up. Sydney Rose and Emily Argo were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively. "I don't even know where to begin, I am so overwhelmed with thankfulness to be part of this amazing Grand community," Madison shared on her social media page. Photos: Miss Grand International

The reigning Miss Grand International Abena Appiah has kicked off her first international tour since winning her title. She is scheduled to visit the US, Ecuador, and Mexico. Now based in Thailand for her reign, Abena left the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Saturday, May 29 for her first destination, the USA. Part of her month-long itinerary is to attend as a special guest at the Miss Mexico 2021 pageant in Chihuahua this July. The singer and model of Ghanian descent became the first black woman and the first US representative to win the Miss Grand International pageant last March. Photos: Miss Grand International

After several schedule changes for its coronation night, the highly anticipated Binibining Pilipinas 2021 pageant has been moved from June 27 to July 11. The announcement was made in a virtual press conference for the homecoming of Miss Grand International 2020 first runner-up Samantha Bernardo last Friday, May 21. Here are some inspiring Binibining Pilipinas candidates and their personal advocacies in their latest shoot with Raymond Saldaña: Photography: Raymond Saldaña / Videography: Owen Suan Reyes / Styling: Patrick Henry, Justine Aliman / Associates: Sasa Magno and Queen Star Francis Ocampo / Set Design: Arvin Pingol of Eventistry Events

Adriana Moya has been officially announced by The Finalists organization on Saturday, May 21 as Miss Grand Costa Rica 2021. The 26-year-old architect from San Pedro, Montes de Oca, succeeded Gabriela Jara and will represent her country Costa Rica at Miss Grand International 2021 possibly in Bangkok later this year. No stranger to beauty pageants, Adriana was named first runner-up during the 47th edition of Miss Intercontinental in Manila, Philippines. "It will be my fourth time representing Costa Rica internationally, but the butterflies still feel the same and the emotion is the same," she wrote on social media. "I can't wait to live for the last time, together with you, one of my greatest passions," she added. Photos: Adriana Moya / Instagram

Alba Dunkerbeck was crowned Miss Grand Spain 2021 in a national competition held last Sunday, May 16 at Bahia Feliz, Gran Canaria. The 19-year-old student of international business and global marketing from Costa Canaria bested 26 other beauties to win her national title. In a post on social media, she expressed her commitment to work for bringing the first golden crown to her country. "It is a great pride but also a great challenge, and like all challenges I am going to achieve them," she said. Alba will represent Spain at the Miss Grand International 2021 competition whose date and venue are yet to be announced. Photos: Jose Sanchez / Miss Grand Spain