MGI 2019: A night Venezuela shall never forget!

Thousands of Venezuelans screamed in joy as they heard their country´s name being called as the winner of Miss Grand International 2019, at the Poliedro de Caracas, on the night of October 25th! Valentina Figuera, a 19-year-old architecture student, and model from Puerto la Cruz, Anzoatehui, Venezuela, will now move to Bangkok, Thailand, where she will reign as Miss Grand International 2019.

The 1st runner-up was Mexico´s Maria Malo, who shined at the final night and nearly captured the crown. Miss Grand Thailand, “Coco” Arayha Suparurk placed as 2nd runner-up, followed by Miss Grand Panama, Carmen Drayton, the 3rd runner-up, and Miss Grand Brazil, Marjorie Marcelle, the 4th runner-up.

The Top 10 was completed with Australia, Taylor Curry, Ecuador, Mara Topic, Peru, Camila Escribens, Puerto Rico, Hazel Ortiz, and the winner of the popular vote, Vietnam´s Nguyễn Hà Kiều Loan.

Quarter-finalists who made it to the Top 20 where Chile, Francisca Lavandero; Colombia, Génesis Quintero; Costa Rica, Brenda Castro; Czech Republic; Mary Boichenko; Dominican Republic, Stéphanie Bustamante; Guatemala, Dannia Guevara; Ireland, Sudawan Khumdee; Japan, Adeline Minatoya; Paraguay, Milena Rodríguez; South Africa, Belindé Schreuder; Spain, Ainara de Santamaría.

Special Awards´ winners were:

Best National Costume: Ecuador, Maria Topić
Best in Swimsuit: Panama, Carmen Drayton
Best in Evening Gown: Camila Escribens
Miss Popularity: Nguyễn Hà Kiều Loan

Judges for the final event, telecast locally by TELEVEN, were Teresa Chaivisut, vice-president of Miss Grand International, Leudys González, CEO of Fundación Nuestra Tierra; George Wittels, crown designer; and Venezuelana singer, Pedro Durán.

The show was hosted by Miss Grand International 2018, Clara Sosa, who also crowned Valentina Figuera with MGI´s new golden crown, designer by George Wittels; and Venezuelan television star Leo Aldana.

In a competition dominated by Latin American contestants (13 of the 20 quarter-finalists were from the region), some favorites ended up not making the cut, like India and Malaysia. In overall terms, results were within the expected, including Figuera´s victory, after all, she was one of 7 candidates who got a “crown alert” from Global Beauties.

The show, which started with beautiful images of Venezuela, followed by an electrifying choreographed opening number to the Jennifer Lopez´s hit song, “El Anillo”. Miss Grand International, once again, had a very dynamic and entertaining production, reminding fans of Miss Universe´s golden era (the 1980´s and 1990´s).

During the telecast, it was announced that Venezuela, who was an excellent host country this year, will be home to Miss Grand International for the second consecutive year, with a new queen to be crowned on October 25th, 2020 - the first of a new decade! The official announcement was made by Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil, president and producer of Miss Grand International.

Congratulations to the winner and organizers! We wish Valentina Figuera an excellent year of reign!