Miss Charm first runner-up Annabelle McDonnell (left) and reigning Miss Charm Philippines Kayla Jean Carter. Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina
Just weeks after Krishnah Gravidez withdrew from the 2024 Miss Charm pageant, organizers of the international tilt announced that the competition would be held in the United States in August. But as it turns out, no contest will take place this month.
The Miss Charm pageant took to social media on Thursday evening, Aug. 1, to address “contestants, national directors, partners, and esteemed members of the public.”
In the message posted online, the organization said, “We regret to inform you that the final event of the Miss Charm competition, originally scheduled to take place in the United States, will be postponed. This decision has not been made lightly, but it is necessary due to unforeseen challenges related to obtaining visas for many of our contestants.”
The Miss Charm organization announced only on June 30 that the 2024 competition has been scheduled from Aug. 12 to 24, with Los Angeles as the host city.
Gravidez was crowned as the Philippines’ representative to the 2024 Miss Charm pageant after finishing third in the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, inheriting the national title from Annabelle McDonnell who was first runner-up in the international pageant’s inaugural edition held in Vietnam in February 2023.
Before she withdrew from the 2024 Miss Charm pageant, Gravidez had already crowned her national successor, 2024 Miss Universe Philippines finalist Cyrille Payumo who has been reserved for the global tilt’s 2025 edition.
Gravidez went on to compete in the 2024 Miss World Philippines pageant, and won the top crown during the coronation show held on July 19.
Empire Philippines, organizer of the annual Miss Universe Philippines pageant and the sister brand The Miss Philippines where the Miss Charm franchise falls under, appointed Kayla Jean Carter to assume the seat that Gravidez vacated.
Carter finished in the Top 20 of the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant in May. She was sent by the Filipino community of Northern California to the national search.
In announcing Carter’s appointment, Empire Philippines said “she was one of the highest-ranking delegates who was eligible for the titles and agreed to be considered for The Miss Philippines. In the case of the Miss Charm representative, she also needed to already possess a US Visa in order to compete in the US.”
The Miss Charm organization continued in its announcement: “We understand the disappointment this may cause and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. Our priority is to ensure that every contestant has the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, showcasing their hard work and dedication without facing unnecessary barriers.”
The organizers added: “We ask for your understanding and support as we work diligently to reschedule the event at a later date, ensuring that all contestants can participate fully. Further details about the new date and venue will be announced as soon as possible.”
This is not the first time for the Miss Charm pageant to undergo scheduling challenges. Its first edition was supposed to take place in Vietnam in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic compelled organizers to cancel it.
The Philippines was supposed to be represented by Ashley Subijano Montenegro, daughter of Bb. Pilipinas World Cara Subijano and celebrity Hans Montenegro. She earned her ticket to the global tilt after winning one of the titles at the 2019 Global Asian Model Philippines search.
She also abdicated her national crown and gave up her participation in the inaugural Miss Charm pageant to take part in the 2022 Miss World Philippines pageant. Montenegro received the Miss Eco Philippines title in the contest, and was sent to the 2023 Miss Eco International pageant in Egypt where she advanced to the semifinals.