Camille Naredo

CJ Opiaza is set to be the new Miss Grand International 2024. Miss Grand International/Instagram

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CJ Opiaza

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748794976556060225_CJ Opiaza.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="CJ Opiaza is set to be the new Miss Grand International 2024. Miss Grand International/Instagram"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">CJ Opiaza is set to be the new Miss Grand International 2024. <em>Miss Grand International/Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- CJ Opiaza is thrilled to soon wear the Miss Grand International crown, following a dramatic turn of events that will see her replace 2024 winner Rachel Gupta of India.</p><p>Miss Grand International announced last Wednesday that Gupta&#x27;s reign is ending &quot;effective immediately,&quot; citing her failure to fulfill her assigned duties as well as her engagement in projects without prior approval from the MGI organization.</p><p>Gupta later said she has stepped down as Miss Grand International and lamented how her reign was &quot;marked by broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment I can no longer endure in silence.&quot;</p><p>MGI then announced on Thursday night that Opiaza, the first runner-up in the 2024 edition of the pageant, will be crowned in a formal ceremony at the MGI Hall in Bangkok on Tuesday, June 3.</p><p>The crowning will take place at 2 p.m. (Bangkok time) and will broadcast live on the GrandTV YouTube channel.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/28/ph-s-cj-opiaza-poised-to-be-next-miss-grand-international-after-winner-s-reign-terminated-1522">READ: PH&#x27;s CJ Opiaza poised to be next Miss Grand International after winner&#x27;s reign terminated?</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" 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">READ: Miss Grand International founder, ex-titleholder in messy public feud</a></div><p>According to Opiaza, she was shocked by the news as May 28 had started out as &quot;just a normal day&quot; for her.</p><p>&quot;Wala rin naman po akong idea that something like that... I mean wala talagang po mapasok sa isip ko na okay something&#x27;s gonna happen today,&quot; Opiaza told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>She recalled that she had just finished a dance rehearsal when her phone started blowing up with messages and notifications.</p><p>&quot;Suddenly I saw na lang yung mga news na on social media and then people were messaging me na sabi, &#x27;Uy CJ gumising ka!&#x27; They thought I was sleeping, that I didn&#x27;t know what was happening,&quot; she said.</p><p>Disconnected from the buzz due to poor signal in her area, Opiaza was unaware of the breaking news until she was contacted directly by representatives from both Miss Grand Philippines and MGI.</p><p>&quot;They were already calling me… telling me what is happening and then giving me a little bit of some details of what might happen that actually now led me to this position of being the new Miss Grand International,&quot; she added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/30/coronation-ceremony-of-cj-opiaza-as-new-miss-grand-international-set-on-june-3-1003">READ: CJ Opiaza to take over Miss Grand International crown</a></div><p>While shocked at the development, Opiaza is accepting the responsibility. &quot;It is in the contract… If the winner cannot fulfill her duties, the first runner-up shall take the place and take all the responsibilities. And as first runner-up, I signed up for the job,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;I know that whatever happens, I needed to take up that space, I needed to fill up that shoe and we cannot leave the throne without a queen. So I think it&#x27;s just right for the Philippines to take it,&quot; she added.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKPbgBtPj12/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A40307691.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1219" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Opiaza confirmed she would be flying to Bangkok early in the morning of June 2. At the moment, however, she is still processing the whirlwind of events.</p><p>&quot;Kahit po ngayon, I feel like it&#x27;s still not sinking in. I feel like ma-feel ko siya talaga din later. Pag nasa NAIA na ako and once I&#x27;m in Bangkok,&quot; she said.</p><p>With the title comes loads of new responsibilities, including international appearances. Opiaza said she is in line for visits to Spain and Myanmar, and hopes to get a visa in time for the crowning of Miss Grand USA in August. </p><p>She will also take part in MGI&#x27;s various sponsored activities. </p><p>Miss Grand Philippines is set for July 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, and Opiaza has committed to being present.</p><p>After fulfilling her duties in the Philippines, she expects to spend most of her time in Bangkok, as stipulated in the contract up to October 2025 when the new MGI Queen will be crowned .</p><p>&quot;I think that would be the setup. So I&#x27;ll just be flying back to the Philippines whenever I have the event and then go back to Thailand. Because I was also informed that, I mean, it&#x27;s in the contract also that if you win, you have to stay in Bangkok,&quot; she said.</p><p>Despite the sudden coronation and heavier responsibilities, she remains optimistic: &quot;Minsan lang &#x27;yun mangyari sa life. So I have to take the chance. And work, work, work lang lagi.&quot;</p>

<p>'If the winner cannot fulfill her duties, the first runner-up shall take the place and take all the responsibilities. And as first runner-up, I signed up for the job.'</p>

'If the winner cannot fulfill her duties, the first runner-up shall take the place and take all the responsibilities. And as first runner-up, I signed up for the job.'

CJ Opiaza reacts to becoming Miss Grand International: 'I signed up for the job'

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CJ Opiaza reacts to becoming Miss Grand International: 'I signed up for the job'

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 02, 2025 12:40 AM PHT

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Updated June 04, 2025 05:56 PM PHT

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beauty pageant

Miss Grand International

CJ Opiaza

Rachel Gupta

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