A heated controversy has erupted in the Miss Grand International (MGI) All Stars competition after Miss Universe 1991 and pageant director Lupita Jones came under fire for her judging scores, particularly her low marks for Filipino candidate Gazini Ganados.
Jones reportedly gave Gazini a score of 7 in the swimsuit competition and a 5 in the personal interview round, figures that quickly sparked backlash from pageant fans online.
Following intense criticism, Jones addressed the issue through a live stream, defending her evaluation. She explained that she was not fully impressed during Gazini’s closed-door interview, citing a lack of personal connection and dissatisfaction with her presentation style. She also commented on Gazini’s on-stage proportions, claiming her leg lines appeared “too thin” and her overall symmetry less balanced compared to other contestants.
Jones further added that while Gazini appeared charming on stage, she felt a difference in energy off-stage, saying the contestant did not fully convince her as a Top 10 finalist.
The remarks triggered strong reactions from pageant fans, many of whom accused Jones of unfair scoring and alleged bias against Asian contestants, including Vietnam’s Huong Giang.
Despite the controversy, Gazini’s overall performance, strong public support, and favorable scores from other judges allowed her to advance into the Top 10 and eventually secure a place in the Top 5.
The issue continues to fuel online debate, with supporters divided over judging subjectivity, scoring transparency, and fairness in international pageants.
