Dannyka Manangan

Samantha Bernardo urges Miss Grand International to support CJ Opiaza after Rachel Gupta’s exit

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Former Miss Grand International 2020 1st runner-up Samantha Bernardo has spoken out following the recent controversy surrounding Miss Grand International (MGI), specifically the resignation of reigning queen Rachel Gupta of India and the succession of the Philippines’ CJ Opiaza.</p><p> In an Instagram story, Samantha called on the MGI organization to respect and support CJ, who is expected to be officially crowned Miss Grand International 2024.</p><p> “I truly hope the MGI organization nurtures and supports our reigning Queen CJ with the care, respect, and integrity she deserves. May she feel held and honored in the role she now carries for the Philippines,” she expressed.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748570830203Screenshot_2025-05-29-21-47-50-32_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg" style="width:400px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Samantha also expressed her sympathy for Rachel Gupta, India’s first Miss Grand International titleholder, after her surprising decision to step down.</p><p> “Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness—whether you wear a crown or not. Respect isn&#x27;t just given; it&#x27;s earned through how we treat one another,” Samantha wrote.</p><p> She added, “My heart goes out to our Queen Rachel. I honor her courage in speaking her truth, and I sincerely wish her peace and healing. As a fellow pageant queen who once dreamed of making history and winning the first crown for my country. I can only imagine how heavy it must have been for her to walk away—especially with the finish line in sight.”</p><p> Samantha further encouraged the pageant community to foster a safe and inclusive space.</p><p> “To every queen, every woman: your experience is valid, Your voice matters. No journey is ever the same,” she continued. “Let&#x27;s continue to build a space in pageantry—and beyond—where every woman feels seen, heard, and valued. There&#x27;s room for both celebration and compassion. I hold space for both.”  </p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-12" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx0eaG3yhfB/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A12%2C%22os%22%3A5356912.800000001%2C%22ls%22%3A220759.09999999986%2C%22le%22%3A221345%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-12" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><div><strong> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></strong></div><p>Her statement came shortly after Rachel Gupta released a nearly hour-long video detailing her alleged mistreatment by the MGI organization. MGI responded with a statement announcing Rachel’s title revocation, citing her failure to fulfill duties, engagement in external projects without approval, and refusal to attend a scheduled trip to Guatemala.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/29/miss-grand-international-lists-reasons-why-it-revoked-crown-of-rachel-gupta-2010"><strong>READ: Miss Grand International lists reasons why it revoked crown of Rachel Gupta</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p> On Wednesday, May 28 (Philippine time), Rachel shocked the pageant community with her resignation.</p><p> “To all my supporters around the world: 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. The truth will come out very soon. I love you all more than words can express. Thank you for standing by me. ❤️,” Rachel wrote.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/29/stepped-down-or-kicked-out-miss-grand-international-founder-ex-titleholder-in-messy-public-feud-1438"><strong>READ: Stepped down or kicked out? Miss Grand International founder, ex-titleholder in messy public feud </strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Following the announcement, CJ Opiaza, the original 1st runner-up, is expected to assume the title of Miss Grand International 2024. MGI later confirmed a crowning ceremony will be held on June 3, 2 p.m. at MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, and will be streamed live on the GrandTV YouTube channel.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKPbgBtPj12/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A5396843%2C%22ls%22%3A220759.09999999986%2C%22le%22%3A221345%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="879" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><div><strong> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></strong></div><p>Pageant fans and fellow beauty queens then expressed their happiness for CJ, who will be the first Filipina crowned in the said beauty pageant.</p><p> “Congratulations to our first ever Miss Grand International from the Philippines, @cjopiaza 🥹. I never doubted you. I always believed. And I’m beyond proud that it’s you. 🥹💛,” Samantha shared as she posted a fan edited video of her and CJ during the crowning moments of their respective year.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/29/samantha-bernardo-on-cj-opiaza-possibly-becoming-new-miss-grand-international-0846"><strong>READ: Samantha Bernardo on CJ Opiaza possibly becoming new Miss Grand International: &#x27;I never doubted you&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Fellow MGI 2024 queens also showed support for CJ such as Arlette Rujel of Peru, Melisha Lin of Malaysia, Prema Lamgade of Nepal, Yariela Garcia of Honduras, Ashley Brown of Netherlands, Acha Nzogoa of Cameroon, and Anisah Rahmat of Singapore.</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/29/cj-opiaza-gets-support-from-fellow-miss-grand-queens-as-she-is-poised-to-assume-crown-1458"><strong>READ: CJ Opiaza gets support from fellow Miss Grand queens as she is poised to assume crown</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Other MGI 2024 candidates who congratulated CJ also included Mariangie Alicea Figueroa of Puerto Rico, Maria Felix of Dominican Republic, Susana Lucía Medina Martín of Spain, Amy Viranya Berry of United Kingdom, Alyssa Roberts of New Zealand, Lourdes Feliu of Cuba, Roseline Orji of Nigeria, Safiétou Kabengele of France, and Cecilia Pressman of Denmark. </p>

<p><b>Samantha Bernardo promotes safe space for both MGI queens CJ Opiaza of the Philippines and Rachel Gupta of India.</b></p>

Samantha Bernardo promotes safe space for both MGI queens CJ Opiaza of the Philippines and Rachel Gupta of India.