Miss Grand Japan 2024 is Luma Naomi Shigemitsu


Luma Naomi Shigemitsu was crowned Miss Grand Japan 2024 in a national competition held on Saturday, July 20 at the New Pier Hall in Tokyo.

The 21-year-old model from Aichi was also awarded Best in Evening Gown. She will represent Japan this October at Miss Grand International 2024 whose venue has yet to be announced.

Erika Ishibashi was named first runner-up while Anna Hayakawa, Sayo Nodake, and Miho Ogawa were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively.

Rounding out the Top 8 finalists were Yukako Sakata, Mao Eguchi, and Shiori Sato.

The new Miss Grand Japan succeeds Yayoi Machida, last year's winner who bagged the Best in National Costume award at the Miss Grand International 2023 pageant in  Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Road to the 12th Miss Grand International:

Photos: H. Shima, Miss Grand Japan / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Universe 2024: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss Universe 2024, the 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held on November 16 at the the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. The country known for its rich culture, ancient ruins, dazzling beaches, and incredible cuisine has been chosen to host the competition for the fifth time after 1978, 1989, 1993, and 2007. A total of 128 national queens have been crowned up to this point and are all set to compete in this year's highly anticipated beauty pageant. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the much-awaited event. Don't forget to download the Miss Universe official app and vote for your favorites. The most-voted contestant will automatically earn a spot in the Top 30. Who will be crowned the next Miss Universe? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) Meet the contestants: Albania - Franceska Rustem Angola - Nelma Ferreira Argentina - Magalí Benejam Armenia - Emma
Read more

FAVORITES: Miss Universe 2024 Top 16 pre-arrival favorites

Image
After months of anticipation, the much-awaited 73rd Miss Universe pageant is about to begin in Mexico. More than 100 contestants from different countries and territories are expected to arrive in the host country later this month. Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua will pass on her crown to the next Miss Universe at the conclusion of this year's competition on November 16. The Miss Universe 2024 final show will broadcast live from the Mexico City Arena (Arena CDMX). Meet our Top 16 pre-arrival favorites: (in alphabetical order) Chile - Emilia Dides Colombia - Daniela Toloza Rocha Curaçao - Kimberly de Boer Dominican Republic - Celinee Santos Finland - Matilda Wirtavuori France - Indira Ampiot Netherlands - Faith Landman New Zealand - Victoria Vincent Velasquez Nigeria - Chidimma Adetshina Peru - Tatiana Calmell Philippines - Chelsea Manalo South Africa - Mia le Roux Thailand - Suchata Chuangsri USA - Alma Cooper Venezuela - Ileana Marquez Pedroza Zimbabwe - Sakhile Dube Special menti
Read more

Miss Universe 2024 schedule of events and activities

Image
Mexico is all set to welcome 130 women from around the world to compete in the highly-anticipated Miss Universe 2024 pageant. Before the crucial preliminary competition and the much-awaited coronation, the contestants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the dazzling culture of the host country. They will have a first-hand experience of the vibrant culture, captivating history, and stunning landscapes that make México an unparalleled destination. Their scheduled activities will lead to the final night in Mexico City where Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will pass on her crown to the next Miss Universe. Here are the schedule of events and activities for the 73rd Miss Universe: October 29-31  - Arrivals November 1 - Gala de las Catrinas November 3-7 - Excursion Tour November 12 - Unveiling of the Crown Cocktail Party November 14 - Preliminaries & National Costume Show November 15 - Farewell Afternoon Tea with Sheynnis Palacios November 16 - Final Show November 17
Read more

India's Rachel Gupta wins Miss Grand International 2024

Image
India's Rachel Gupta was crowned Miss Grand International 2024 in a glittering final show on Friday, October 25 at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. The 20-year-old model, actress, and entrepreneur hailing from Jalandhar, Punjab bested over 60 other contestants to win the competition. She made history as the first-ever woman from India to become Miss Grand International. "Thank you so much to everyone who believed in me! I promise, I will not let you down. I vow to be a queen whose reign you'll remember forever," she wrote online. Christine Juliane Opiaza of the Philippines was named first runner-up while Thae Su Nyein of Myanmar, Safiétou Kabengele of France and Talita Hartmann of Brazil finished as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Rounding out the Top 10 and fifth runners-up were María Felix of the Dominican Republic, Nova Liana of Indonesia, Arlette Rujel of Peru, Susana Medina of Spain, and Amy Viranya Berry of the United Kingdom. The rest
Read more

Emma Avanesyan to represent Armenia at Miss Universe 2024

Image
Emma Avanesyan has been appointed the new Miss Universe Armenia 2024 and will soon head to Mexico to represent Armenia at Miss Universe 2024 this November. The 32-year-old Armenian model based in Moscow, Russia, was the third runner-up at the Miss Universe Armenia 2024 pageant. She replaced the original winner, Irina Zakharova , who was dethroned due to her nationality issues. According to the Miss Universe Organization, the former winner failed to meet the requirements stipulated in their license agreements. MUO also pointed out that the titleholder must possess a valid passport from the country she represents. The new Miss Universe Armenia is a founder of a modeling agency. She is a mother of one and apart from modeling she is also a singer and a modeling teacher. Emma considers it a mission to nurture excellent youth and guide them on a path where they can be useful to society. "I believe that each of us is able to give a piece of ourselves for the benefit of society and make t
Read more

Miss Earth 2024 kicks off in the Philippines

Image
Miss Earth 2024, the 24th edition of the annual Miss Earth pageant has officially kicked off in the Philippines. Over 70 beauties from different parts of the planet have arrived in the host country to compete for the crown. They were officially introduced in a press presentation on Wednesday, October 23 at the 5-star Okada Manila Hotel in Parañaque City, Metro Manila. The contestants walked the red carpet runway wearing stunning creations by Filipino designers, each featuring the indigenous weaves of the Philippines. USA's Bea Millan Windorski won the gold medal for Best Philippine Heritage Attire while Tamara Aznar of the Dominican Republic and Tiffany Faith Wanyama of Kenya received the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Jasmine Jorgensen of Cape Verde, Brianna McSween of the US Virgin Islands, Jessica Lane of Australia, and Hrafnhildur Haraldsdóttir of Iceland were awarded Darlings of the Press. Shreeya Bokhoree of Mauritius, Stephany Diaz of Cuba, Ryu Seo Bin of Korea, and
Read more

Thailand's Suchata Chuangsri departs for Miss Universe 2024

Image
Miss Universe Thailand 2024 Suchata "Opal" Chuangsri departed Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday night aboard Turkish Airlines to Mexico for Miss Universe 2024. Fans flocked to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport for her departure. Former MUT titleholders Anntonia Porsild and Anna Sueangam-iam were also present to show their support. "Thank you so much everyone for coming, thank you for your love and support. It is truly a dream come true to be wearing Thailand sash across my heart and I promise to raise our flag high," she wrote online. The 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held on November 16 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City where over 100 countries will compete for the title. Opal is poised to win Thailand's third Miss Universe crown next to Porntip Nakhirunkanok (Miss Universe 1988) and Apasra Hongsakula (Miss Universe 1965). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Opal Suchata (@suchaaata) Photos: Miss Universe Thailand / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Tanzania 2024 is Judith Peter Ngusa

Image
After a 4-year hiatus, Tanzania is set to return to the Miss Universe stage with the recently proclaimed Miss Universe Tanzania 2024 Judith Peter Ngusa. The 26-year-old postpartum health activist from Dar es Salaam will represent Tanzania at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. No stranger to pageantry, Judith has previously joined Miss United Nations 2022 and won the title. She also placed in the Top 10 at Miss Tanzania 2019. Tanzania's last participation at Miss Universe was in 2019 with Shubila Stanton. The country's highest achievement in the pageant was during its debut in 2007 when Flaviana Matata made the Top 10. "I am beyond honored to wear this crown and to represent the strength and resilience of Tanzania on the global stage," said the new Miss Universe Tanzania. "This belongs to everyone who has supported me, lifted me up, and believed in this journey," she added. Judith also made history as the first-ever mother to represent Ta
Read more

Miss Universe 2024: Meet the selection committee

Image
Over 100 contestants from different countries and territories will gather in Mexico to compete for the highly coveted title of Miss Universe 2024. The Miss Universe Organization has already revealed the important people who will have the most difficult task in choosing the next Miss Universe. Meet the selection committee: Emilio Estefan – Grammy award-winning Cuban-American musician and producer Lele Pons – Youtuber, actress and singer Romero Britto – Brazilian artist and sculptor Eva Cavalli – Fashion designer and Miss Universe 1977 first runner-up from Austria Margaret Gardiner – Journalist and Miss Universe 1978 from South Africa Jessica Carrillo – Emmy award-winning anchor/journalist at Telemundo The highly-anticipated 73rd Miss Universe final competition will be held on November 16 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City. Photos: Miss Universe
Read more

Miss World South Africa 2024 is Zoalize Jansen Van Rensburg

Image
Zoalize Jansen Van Rensburg was crowned Miss World South Africa 2024 in a national competition held last October 6 at the Sun City Superbowl, North West Province. The 18-year-old youth empowerment advocate from Pretoria succeeds last year's winner Claude Mashego. She will represent South Africa at the 72nd Miss World competition next year. Nande Mabala and Romanda Hombir were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss World South Africa has already joined last year's competition and placed second runner-up. "A second chance on myself meant the world and I hope that this can act as an inspiration to all the people who have felt like giving up on a dream. Don't ever let anyone tell you that it is not possible," she wrote online. "As your Miss World South Africa, I will continue to remind our people that in the midst of adversity and uncertainty, you have to remember that you are here for a reason," she added
Read more