Miss Grand Indonesia director announces no representative for MGI 2025

Miss Mega Bintang Indonesia is the pageant responsible for selecting the country’s representative for MGI.

Miss Grand Indonesia 2024 Nova Liana (R) and Ivan Gunawan, the national director of Miss Mega Bintang Indonesia, the pageant that selects the country’s representative for Miss Grand International. Photo from Liana's Instagram

"I announce you that there will be no Miss Mega Bintang Indonesia competition in 2025, and we will no longer hold any international beauty pageant licenses until further notice," he wrote on Instagram Monday. "This decision was made after thorough consideration, without any external pressure."

He went on to explain that his organization would shift its focus to "other impactful fields" and thanked those who had supported them.

Under Gunawan’s post, MGI vice president Teresa Chaivisut commented: "It has been my honor to have you as our National Director & our friendship will remain forever."

This move followed the Indonesian representative Nova Liana finishing in the top 10 of this year’s MGI pageant.

Miss Grand Indonesia 2024 Nova Liana. Photo from Miss Grand International's Instagram

Indonesia’s decision marks another country in dispute with MGI this year. Last month, Miss Grand Honduras’ national director Amelia Vega also announced the termination of the MGI license in Honduras and accused MGI of prioritizing money over the proper treatment of national directors.

In the same month, the Miss Grand India organization announced it was ending its partnership with MGI, citing divergent visions and goals. This came shortly after Rachel Gupta became the first Indian to win at an MGI pageant.

A few days later, MGI revealed via Instagram that it would not renew the pageant license contract with Glamanand Entertainment, which previously oversaw the Miss Grand India franchise. The decision was attributed to several factors, including delayed license payments, contractual violations, insufficient support and promotion for Gupta, and inadequate promotion of the MGI brand, according to MGI.

In October, MGI stripped Myanmar’s representative Thae Su Nyein of her second runner-up title at this year’s pageant and announced a lifetime ban on Myanmar’s national director Htoo Ant Lwin, citing his "lack of sportsmanship and business credibility."

Founded in 2013 by Thai TV host and producer Nawat Itsaragrisil, MGI primarily focuses on humanitarian initiatives, with winners advocating for charitable causes throughout their tenure. Contestants are selected through national competitions, internal casting, or direct appointment by franchise holders from various countries or regions.