Janelee Chaparro, 22, from Puerto Rico was crowned in the first ever edition of Miss Grand International 2013 held November 19 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. She receives a cash prize amounting to US$30,000. The pageant is supported by sponsorship from governments and organizations that seek to promote mutual understanding, good will and peace among participating nations.
Chaparro's court includes 1st runner-up Chantel Martinez, 19, of the Dominican Republic; 2nd runner-up Denisa Paseciakova, 24, of Slovak Republic; 3rd runner-up Annalie Forbes, 20, of the Philippines; and 4th runner-up Kelly Louise Maguire, 26, of Australia. Completing the top 10 were the delegates from Brazil, Cuba, Latvia, Sri Lanka, and Venezuela. Reaching the top 20 were the contestants from China, Colombia, Ecuador, Macedonia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Pakistan, Thailand, USA and Zimbabwe.
Special awards were given to Myanmar's Htar Htet Htet (Miss Popular Vote), to the Dominican Republic (Best In Evening Gown), to Latvia's Kristīne Rancāne (Best In Swimsuit), to China's Jie Pan (Best National Costume). Seventy-one countries participated in the pageant's first edition.
Photo credits: Miss Grand International