Miss Grand USA

Miss Grand United States of America
FormationMay 28, 2016 (2016-05-28)
FounderChantel Martínez
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersNorth Carolina
Location
MembersMiss Grand International
Official language
English
National directors
Parent organization
Crown Legacy LLC (2024–2026)
Websiteofficialmissgrandusa.com

Miss Grand USA, also referred to as Miss Grand United States of America, is an annual female beauty pageant in the United States, founded in 2016[1] by a Dominican-American businessperson, Chantel Martínez,[2] aiming to select the country representative for Miss Grand International,[3][4] which is an annual international beauty pageant promoting World Peace and against all kinds of conflicts.[5][6]

The Miss Grand USA organization has been franchising the state competitions to individual organizers since 2016,[1] which in some cases are responsible for more than one state.[7][8] Each U.S. state must choose a candidate who competes at the national Miss Grand USA pageant, however, delegates may be appointed state or regional titles if a state pageant is not offered in their area.[3][9]

The United States holds a record of 6 placements at Miss Grand International, the highest position was first place, won in 2020 by Abena Appiah of New York,[10][11] followed by the third and fourth runners-up by Sthephanie Miranda and Michelle León in 2023 and 2016, respectively.[12]

History

The United States has participated in Miss Grand International since the pageant's inception in 2013. Under the management of Earth Pageant Productions from 2013 to 2015, the first two representatives were appointed to compete internationally without a national pageant for Miss Grand, while the third earned the title through the Miss Earth United States 2015. During this period, two representatives, Blair Griffith and Lauren Petersen, placed among the top 20 finalists in 2013 and 2015, respectively.[13]

After Chantel Martínez, a New York-based Dominican-American fashion model, acquired the franchise in 2016, she organized the inaugural Miss Grand USA pageant to select the country's representative for the international competition. The event was held at Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space in New York City, featuring 13 national finalists, with Michelle León of the host state being crowned the winner.[1] León later finished as the fourth runner-up at the 2016 Miss Grand International contest in Las Vegas, Nevada.[14] Later in 2018, Martínez scheduled the 2018 contest to be held on May 28 in New York,[15] but lost the franchise to Israel Silva and Hernan Rivera of H&I Grand Productions LLC, a Chicago-based event organizer that owned and organized the Miss Grand USA pageant from 2019 to 2023.[16] The franchise was subsequently transferred to the e-commerce company Protagonist Live LLC in early 2024, with former Miss Grand Ireland 2023, Rachel Slawson, serving as president under Iron Tiara LLC.[17] On December 6, 2024, Crown Legacy LLC assumed management of the franchise, while production continued under Protagonist Live LLC.[18]

Since its establishment, the pageant has been canceled only once, in 2020, due to the significant increase in COVID-19 infections across the country. The organizer subsequently appointed Ghanaian American model Abena Appiah to represent the United States at the international competition in Thailand,[19] where she won the title, becoming the first American representative to win Miss Grand International and the first Black contestant to do so.[10][11]

Editions

Location and date

The following list is the edition detail of the Miss Grand USA contest, since its inception in 2016.

Year Edition Date Final venue Host State Entrants Ref.
2016 1st 28 May Leonard Nimoy Thalia, Symphony Space, New York City New York 13[1][20]
2017 2nd 25 Jul
17
[3]
2019 3rd 11 Aug Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, Lake County Illinois 28[4]
2021 4th 20 Jun Joe's Live Rosemont, Rosemont 18[9][21]
2022 5th 23 Jun Copernicus Center, Chicago 12[22]
2023 6th 17 Aug Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center 25 [23]
2024 7th 12 Aug Club M2, Miami Florida
19
 [24][25]
2025 8th 18 Aug Rio Showroom at Rio Las Vegas, Las Vegas Nevada 31 [26][27]
2026 9th 10 Aug
29
 [28][29]

Competition results

Year Miss Grand United States Runners-up Ref.
1st runner-up 2nd runner-up 3rd runner-up 4th runner-up
2016 Michelle León
(New York)		 Heather Jorgensen
(Illinois)		 Melissa Martinez
(Mississippi)		 Not Awarded [1][30]
2017 Taylor Kessler[β]
(California)		 Brianna Key
(Louisiana)		 Alexi Gropper
(Georgia)		 Courtney Williams
(Maryland)		 Leidy Guzman
(Rhode Island)		 [3]
2019 Emily Delgado[γ]
(Nevada)		 Alexandria Kelly
(Michigan)		 Que Demery
(Florida)		 Shiobhan Fraser
(Georgia)		 Stormy Keffeler
(Washington)		 [4][31]
2021 Madison Callaghan
(North Carolina)		 Taylor Gipson
(Tennessee)		 Gennesis Padron
(Mid-Atlantic)		 Sydney Salinas
(Texas)		 Emily Argo
(Illinois)		 [32][9]
2022 Emily DeMure[ε]
(Colorado)		 Mercia Stephens
(Ohio)		 Brooke Butler
(Kansas)		 Not Awarded [33]
2023 Sthephanie Miranda[ϝ]
(Great Lakes)		 Samantha Keaton
(Illinois)		 Rachel Slawson
(New York)		 Francie Millan
(Texas)		 Mazzy Eckel
(Washington)		 [34][35]
2024 Cora Griffen[ζ]
(Georgia)		 Tiajah Elliott
(New Jersey)		 Victoria Oluwakotanmi
(Illinois)		 Andrea Valentina
(Florida)		 Giselle Burgos
(Arizona)		 [36][37]
2025 Ivana Garcia
(Ohio)		 Andrea Valentina Nuñez
(East Coast)		 Rachelle Di Stasio
(Washington)		 Christianah Adejokun
(Southern States)		 Emely Aleman
(Tennessee)		 [38][39]
2026 Mekyla Li
(Massachusetts)		 Victoria Oluwakotanmi
(Indiana)		 Francie Millan
(Louisiana)		 Shelbi Byrnes
(Nevada)		 Alma Gonzalez
(New Mexico)		 [40][41]

International competition

Year Delegate National qualification Competition Placement Special Awards National director(s) Ref.
2013 Blair Griffith[α] Miss Grand United States 2013 Top 20 — Evan L. Skow [13]
2014 Sara Platt Miss Grand United States 2014 Unplaced —
2015 Lauren Petersen Miss Grand United States 2015 Top 20 —
2016 Michelle León Miss Grand United States 2016 4th Runner-Up — Chantel Martínez [1]
2017 Taylor Kessler[β] Miss Grand United States 2017 Unplaced —
2018 Paola Cossyleon Appointment Unplaced — Israel Silva &
Hernan Rivera		 [44]
2019 Emily Delgado[γ] Miss Grand United States 2019 Unplaced —
2020 Abena Appiah[δ] Appointment Miss Grand International 2020 —
2021 Madison Callaghan Miss Grand United States 2021 Unplaced —
2022 Emily DeMure[ε] Miss Grand United States 2022 Unplaced —
2023 Sthephanie Miranda[ϝ] Miss Grand United States 2023 3rd Runner-Up —
2024 Cora Griffen[ζ] Miss Grand United States 2024 Unplaced — Rachel Slawson [46]
2025 Ivana Garcia Miss Grand United States 2025 Top 22 [47]
2026 Mekyla Li Miss Grand United States 2026 Dethroned Candace Thomas &
Sthephanie Miranda		 [40]
Victoria Oluwakotanmi TBD
Note
1. ^α Previously Miss Colorado Teen USA 2006 and Miss Colorado USA 2011.[48][49]
2. ^β Later Miss Texas USA 2020.[50]
3. ^γ Also Miss Supranational Nevada 2019.
4. ^δ Previously Top Model of the World Ghana 2013, Miss Universe Ghana 2014 & Miss Earth Ghana 2019.[19]
5. ^ε Previously Miss Colorado USA 2020.
6. ^ϝ Previously Miss Ohio USA 2020.
7. ^ζ Previously Miss Georgia USA 2021.
States by number of wins
List of states by number of Miss Grand USA wins
Number of wins State Years
2 Colorado 2013, 2022
New York 2016, 2020
1 North Carolina 2021
Nevada 2019
Illinois 2018
California 2017
Virginia 2015
South Carolina 2014

National finalists

The following list is the national finalists of the Miss Grand USA pageant, as well as the competition results.

Editions[51]
Represented
 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
States and the federal district
Alabama Y Y Y
Alaska Y
Arizona 10 Y Y Y Y
Y
Arkansas
California Y 16 Y 6 10 8 Y Y
Colorado Y 16 Y Y 12 20 Y
Y
Connecticut Y Y Y Y Y
Delaware Y Y
District of Columbia Y Y 15 Y Y
Florida Y 10 10 Y 10 10 Y
Georgia 10 10 20 Y
Hawaii 10 10 20 Y
Idaho
Illinois 10 Y 20 Y
Indiana Y Y Y
Iowa Y
Kansas Y Y
Kentucky Y Y
Louisiana Y Y Y Y Y
Maine Y Y
Maryland Y 10 15 Y
Massachusetts Y 10 Y Y Y
Michigan Y Y 20 Y
Minnesota Y Y Y 12
Mississippi 10 16 Y Y
Missouri Y Y Y
Montana Y
Nebraska Y
Nevada Y Y Y Y 12 Y Y
New Hampshire
New Jersey 5 10 15 20 Y
New Mexico Y Y 12 Y Y
New York Y 10 10 6 8 10 Y
North Carolina Y Y 10 Y
North Dakota
Ohio Y Y 10 Y Y
Oklahoma 16
Oregon 16 Y Y
Pennsylvania 5 16 Y Y 10 Y Y
Rhode Island Y Y Y
South Carolina Y Y Y Y
South Dakota
Tennessee Y Y Y
Texas Y 10 10 6 8 20 Y
Utah Y
Vermont Y
Virginia Y Y Y 20 Y
Washington Y Y
West Virginia Y
Wisconsin 20 Y
Wyoming
Non-state representatives
Atlantic
Central New York 20
East Coast
Golden Coast Y
Great Lakes
Mid-Atlantic Y Y
New England Y
North Atlantic Y
North East Y 15
Northern California Y
Silver State Y
South 10
South Atlantic Y
South East Y
Southern States
Tri-State 10
West Coast Y 10
Total131728181224193129
Color keys
  •    : Declared as the winner
  •    : Ended as a 1st runner-up
  •    : Ended as a 2nd runner-up
  •    : Ended as a 3rd runner-up
  •    : Ended as a 4th runner-up
  •  A  : Ended as a finalist, semifinalist or unplaced
  •  ×  : Withdrew during the competition
  •  ×  : No representative

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Michelle Leon crowned Miss Grand USA 2016". Times of India. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. ↑ "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the news published today regarding Anea Garcia, and her ceasing to hold the Miss Grand International title". Miss Grand USA. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Taylor Kessler crowned Miss Grand USA 2017". Times of India. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Emily Irene crowned Miss Grand USA 2019". Times of India. 29 August 2019. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  5. ↑ Earl D.C. Bracamonte (28 March 2021). "Miss USA is first Black contender to win Miss Grand International crown". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  6. ↑ วรรษมน ไตรยศักดา (28 March 2021). "อัลเบน่า แอพเพีย มิสแกรนด์สหรัฐอเมริกา คว้ามงกุฎ Miss Grand International 2020". The Standard (Thailand) (in Thai). Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  7. ↑ José Ángel Manaiza Jr. (2 December 2019). "From South Sudan to the USA: The Journey of Eyga Mojus". Medium. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Meet Eyga Mojus of Miss Mojus Production in City Heights". Sdvoyager.com. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Tucker Robbins (26 June 2021). "Memphis native places 1st runner up at Miss Grand United States". WMC-TV. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 Bracamonte, Earl D. C. (28 March 2021). "Miss USA is first Black contender to win Miss Grand International crown". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Only a handful of black women are able to win international pageant titles - Abena Appiah". Ghanaweb.com. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  12. 1 2 Fiona Quinn (26 October 2016). "LOOK: Miss Grand International 2016 Winners, Miss Indonesia Crowned, Miss Philippines Nicole Ignacio Cordoves 1st Runner Up". Pilipinaspopcorn.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Miss Grand USA 2013". Miss Grand International. 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  14. ↑ Khaosod (26 October 2016). ""มิสอินโดนีเซีย"น้ำตาคลอ คว้ามงกุฏมิสแกรนด์อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนลฯ "ฝ้าย-สุภาพร"ซิวรองอันดับ2(คลิป)" (in Thai). Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  15. ↑ "Miss Grand United States of America". Miss Grand United States. 2018. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  16. ↑ "H&I Grand Productions LLC. holds the National Licenses for Miss Grand USA, Miss Supranational USA, Miss Eco USA & Miss Eco Teen USA". H&I Grand Productions LLC. 2019. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  17. ↑ "Người đẹp song tính mua lại bản quyền Hoa hậu Hòa bình Mỹ" (in Vietnamese). Tiền Phong. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. ↑ @officialmissgrandusa. "Official Announcement from the Miss Grand USA Organization". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  19. 1 2 3 "Evelyn Abena Appiah to represent US at Miss Grand International 2020". Times of India. 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  20. ↑ "Michelle Leon crowned Miss Grand USA 2016". Times of India. 3 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  21. ↑ "Miss Grand United States Joe's Live Rosemont". Stayhappening.com. 2021. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  22. ↑ "Miss Grand United States and Miss Eco USA 2022". Do312.com. June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ↑ "Miss Grand United States will be held in Chicago, Illinois at the Copernicus Center on Thursday, August 17!". Miss Grand United States. 3 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  24. ↑ "Competing in Miss Grand USA". News 4 San Antonio. 16 July 2024. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024.
  25. ↑ "Miss Grand USA 2024". M2Miami. Retrieved 11 July 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  26. ↑ "Miss Grand USA 2025 Contestants: Who are all the candidates this year?". Marca. 16 August 2025. Retrieved 16 August 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  27. ↑ "Miss Grand USA 2025: Vote for your favorite delegate to advance to the top 20 of Miss Grand USA 2025". officialmissgrandusa.com. August 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-08-16. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
  28. ↑ "Miss Grand 2026". www.riolasvegas.com. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  29. ↑ "2026 Fan Favorite". officialmissgrandusa.com. 2026. Archived from the original on July 29, 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  30. ↑ "Top 3 - Mississippi, Illinois & New York Congratulations Ladies". Miss Grand USA. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  31. 1 2 Chris Mottram (24 October 2019). "Miss Grand United States' Emily Delgado Draws Ire Among Social Media for Cultural Appropriation During Pageant". Popculture.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  32. 1 2 "Vừa đăng quang, nhan sắc thật của tân Hoa hậu Hòa bình Mỹ khiến fan tranh cãi". Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  33. 1 2 "Mỹ nhân tóc đỏ nóng bỏng đăng quang Hoa hậu Hoà bình Mỹ 2022". Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  34. 1 2 Harry Rodríguez Caraballo (18 August 2023). "El paso de Sthephanie Miranda en los concursos de belleza" (in Spanish). Metro International. Retrieved 20 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  35. 1 2 "Người đẹp 30 tuổi bị chê già khi đăng quang Hoa hậu Hòa bình Mỹ" (in Vietnamese). Tiền Phong. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  36. ↑ Jennifer Valqui (12 August 2024). "Miss Grand USA 2024: Miss Georgia obtuvo la corona y representará a Estados Unidos en el certamen internacional". La República (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  37. ↑ @Miss Grand USA; (13 August 2024). Grand USA/p/C-mGoI7RCKh/ "Miss Grand USA 2024 1st Runner-Up is Tiajah Elliott of New Jersey!". Retrieved 14 August 2024 – via Instagram. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  38. ↑ Connor Reid, Marca (19 August 2025). "Who won Miss Grand USA 2025? Meet Ivana Garcia, the beauty queen from the state of Ohio". Retrieved 19 August 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  39. ↑ "Miss Grand USA 2025". officialmissgrandusa.com. August 2025. Archived from the original on 2025-09-07. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  40. 1 2 Duy Nam (20 August 2026). "Đương kim Hoa hậu Hòa bình Mỹ bị tước vương miện" [The reigning Miss Grand USA has been stripped of her crown.]. Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). Archived from the original on 20 August 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  41. ↑ "Hija de sanduceros, Francie Millan, fue electa Miss Grand Uruguay" [Francie Millan, daughter of Paysandú natives, was elected Miss Grand Uruguay]. El Telégrafo (in Spanish). 17 August 2026. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
  42. ↑ "Miss Grand USA 2014". Miss Grand INternational. 2014. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  43. ↑ "Miss Grand USA 2015". Miss Grand International. 2015. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  44. ↑ "Paola Cossyleon crowned Miss Grand United States of America 2018". Times of India. 19 August 2018. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  45. ↑ Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (29 March 2021). "Miss Grand International queens Philippines, USA's casual interaction on stage takes spotlight during coronation night". Interaksyon. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  46. ↑ Josiah Antonio (25 October 2024). "India wins Miss Grand International 2024; PH bet CJ Opiaza is 1st runner-up". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 25 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  47. ↑ Connor Reid, Marca (19 August 2025). "Who won Miss Grand USA 2025? Meet Ivana Garcia, the beauty queen from the state of Ohio". Retrieved 19 August 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  48. ↑ Little, Lyneka (25 February 2011). "Miss Colorado USA Blair Griffith Wins Crown, Becomes Homeless Beauty Queen". ABC News. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  49. ↑ "Wide attention for homeless Miss Colorado 2011". The Denver Post. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  50. ↑ "Taylor Kessler crowned Miss Texas USA 2020". Times of India. 20 November 2019. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  51. ↑
  • Miss Grand USA, official website
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Miss Grand United States at Wikimedia Commons
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.