Nikki de Moura admits her heart ‘aches with disappointment’ after 2023 Miss Grand International

Despite her disappointment after falling short of winning the crown at the 2023 Miss Grand International pageant, Philippines’ bet Nikki de Moura underscored that she is choosing to focus on gratitude as she had given her all in representing the country.

The Brazilian-Filipino model failed to enter the pageant’s Top 20 at the finals night held in Vietnam on Wednesday, Oct. 25, wherein Peru’s Luciana Fuster emerged as the titleholder.

“I poured my heart and soul into representing Philippines and my heart aches with disappointment. But even in the face of this heartache, I choose gratitude,” De Moura said on her Instagram page on Thursday, Oct. 26.

“I understand I may still be young, I will continue to work hard, learn, and grow, because I believe that disappointment is only a stepping stone to future success,” she continued.

The 19-year-old beauty queen further noted that her Miss Grand International journey is just the beginning of “something greater” for her, and that she’s determined to make the most out of her future endeavors. 

“This is not the end…. just the start of something greater, and I’m excited to see where life’s adventures will take me. Now, I stand before you, not as a part of the top 20, but as someone who gave her all,” she wrote, adding her message of gratitude to her team and everyone who has been supporting her.

“I may not have claimed the crown, but I carry the honor of representing the Philippines with pride and gratitude in my heart,” she concluded.

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De Moura then received cheers from fans, celebrities, pageant sisters and even Miss Grand International 2023 titleholder Fuster via the comments section.

The Philippines has yet to win the Miss Grand International crown since the pageant’s inception in 2013. Nicole Cordoves and Samantha Bernardo came close to winning the title when they were named as first runner-up in 2016 and 2020, respectively.