From left: Fuschia Anne Ravena, Imelda Schweighart, Gazini Ganados, Keylyn Trajano, and Alexia Núñez
Miss Grand International via Facebook, Imelda Schweighart via Instagram
Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com
May 26, 2026 | 3:02pm
MANILA, Philippines — Preliminary proceedings are underway for the inaugural All Stars edition of Miss Grand International, with participating countries sending multiple names into the mix.
The new competition is open to women and transwomen ages 20 to 40, regardless of marital status, who have competed in or won a previous pageant.
Another key feature of the pageant is that competing countries can send more than one delegate. This year, there are 58 contestants from 38 territories.
China has the most representatives with six, followed by the Dominican Republic with four and host country Thailand with three.
The Philippines is staking a claim with five beauty queens bannered by the Three Stars and a Sun, each bringing major pageant experience and hoping to go far in the competition.
Here is a rundown of the five Filipina queens competing in the first-ever Miss Grand International All Stars.
Fuschia Anne Ravena
The 30-year-old beauty queen was the first delegate announced to represent the Philippines.
Fuschia was crowned Miss International Queen, the biggest beauty pageant for transgender women, in 2022. She was the second Filipina to win the title after Trixie Maristela in 2015.
Organizers hailed Fuschia as a proud trans Filipina and a global advocate for compassion, inclusion and equality.
"A powerful voice for LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality, she is also a successful beauty industry entrepreneur and the owner of a premier aesthetic clinic — redefining beauty through purpose, leadership, and lasting impact," they said.
Alexia Núñez
A couple of days later, Filipino-Brazilian beauty queen and actress Alexia Núñez also threw her name into the ring to compete for the Philippines.
Alexia won Noble Queen of the Universe 2025 last November while representing Brazil, competing against other beauty queens representing Filipino communities.
A wellness and sustainability advocate and creative entrepreneur, the 27-year-old is fluent in five languages and uses her voice to champion peace, dignity and women's empowerment.
Her humanitarian efforts have focused on helping Indigenous women and children through education and livelihood initiatives that honor culture while fostering long-term independence.
In showbiz, Alexia appeared on the television show "Batang Quiapo" and the Netflix film "Kontrabida Academy."
Keylyn Trajano
Earlier this year, another trans queen, Keylyn Pan Guevara Trajano, was confirmed to banner the Philippine flag.
Like Fuschia, the 30-year-old has competed in pageants in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
She represented Arabia in Universal Woman 2025, placing in the Top 13 alongside the Philippines' Jasmine Omay.
Both queens won two special awards each, with Keylyn taking the Photogenic and Voice Challenge plums.
Outside pageantry, Keylyn is a television host-actress, entrepreneur and marketing and public relations professional who founded several organizations, some of them aligned with her advocacy for inclusion, equality and youth empowerment.
Gazini Ganados
Probably the biggest name among the Philippine representatives and the country's best bet at winning is Filipina-Palestinian beauty queen Gazini Ganados.
Miss Grand International All Stars marks Gazini's pageantry comeback since she was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2019, the last national titleholder under Binibining Pilipinas before the local franchise moved to a new organizing body as Miss Universe Philippines.
At Miss Universe 2019, won by South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi, Gazini finished in the Top 20 and won the Best National Costume award.
Before that, she competed in Miss World Philippines 2014 as a teenager, making her one of the Philippines' most recognizable beauty queens.
Organizers said the 30-year-old showcased "elegance, resilience, and dedication to representing women with strength and authenticity" during her pageant run.
Since passing on the national title during the pandemic, Gazini has signed with GMA Network's talent arm Sparkle and made a name for herself in showbiz as a model and television personality.
Imelda Schweighart
The fifth and final Filipina competing at Miss Grand International All Stars is Filipino-German beauty queen Imelda Schweighart, a submission that was not without controversy.
Imelda was representing Kalibo, Aklan, in Miss Universe Philippines 2026 until news emerged that a contestant had been removed from the competition.
Photos of Imelda were no longer included in sponsored pictorials. Come coronation night, weeks after Imelda said she was joining Miss Grand International All Stars, Miss Universe Philippines said the 31-year-old had fully left the contest.
Still, Imelda is entering the upcoming competition with immense experience, having competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2013, Miss Earth 2016 and Miss Universe Germany 2023. She resigned her Miss Earth Philippines title after the 2016 international pageant.
Organizers described Imelda as "a legendary multi-hyphenate and a true icon of her generation" who won her first national crown at 15 years old. She is also an actress, singer-songwriter, music producer and entrepreneur.
"Her journey is defined by resilience, individuality, and authenticity," they added. "Known for her unapologetic spirit and editorial edge, Imelda brings a lifetime of stage mastery to the global spotlight — reminding the world that icons aren’t born, they are made."
Arrivals, registration and primary photo shoots will end on May 17 before pre-pageant activities begin, leading up to coronation night on May 30.
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