A pageant announcement created an uncomfortable viral situation this week. The New York Post reported that an incorrect country name destroyed Panama representative Isamar Herrera's celebration at Miss Grand International when she apparently misheard the host during the October 18 Bangkok competition.
At the Miss Grand International pageant, the contestant from Panama caused an awkward moment when she thought her country's name had been called, but it was actually Miss Paraguay who was announced. pic.twitter.com/ESy5esJqZ5
— Klaus ?? (@Klausfigu) October 19, 2025
Herrera, 31, walked to the platform's front among 76 participants expecting to join the 22 finalists, posing for ten seconds before host Matthew Deane addressed the error, according to New York Post. "Aaah, I beg your pardon, I announced Miss Grand Paraguay," Deane stated, adding, "There is a lot of noise in this hall, packed full of fans from all over the world." Paraguay's Cecilia Romero then claimed the finalist position while Herrera retreated.
The mishap generated nearly 5 million TikTok views and sparked widespread social media backing, New York Post reported. Viewers expressed sympathy with comments including "Panama, Canada, Paraguay, sound the same, don't condemn her" and "Maybe she didn't really understand because of language barrier," while others offered Herrera encouragement: "You were a good candidate, impeccable every time you came out, and you deserved the classification. I'm sure better things will happen in your life."
Twenty-two finalists from Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Martinique, Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela and Zambia competed in the final round, though Herrera did not advance, New York Post reported.
Philippines representative Emma Tiglao, a 30-year-old news anchor, secured the Miss Grand International crown in the multi-week contest, marking the Southeast Asian nation's consecutive second victory, according to New York Post. Thailand's Sarunrat Puagpipat finished first runner-up, Spain's Aitana Jiménez claimed second runner-up, Ghana's Faith Porter earned third runner-up, and Venezuela's Nariman Battikha secured fourth runner-up.
