A moment of high-stakes glamour turned unexpectedly awkward Saturday when Miss Panama, Isamar Herrera, mistakenly stepped forward as if she had advanced to the finals of the Miss Grand International 2025 competition — only to realize the host had actually called another contestant’s name.
Confusion erupted in Bangkok’s packed Show DC Hall as cheers and music filled the air. When emcee Matthew Deane began his announcement, Herrera mistakenly believed she had been called and confidently strode to the front of the stage. Cameras captured her poised stance beneath the spotlights as the audience roared.
Deane soon interrupted, clarifying, “I announced Miss Grand Paraguay.” The rightful finalist, Cecilia Romero, stepped forward while Herrera, composed, returned to her place amid polite applause. Deane added that noise from fans contributed to the confusion.
Following the incident, the clip quickly went viral across platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, where users replayed the moment again and again. Viewers praised Herrera’s ability to stay elegant in what could have been an embarrassing situation.
In response to the attention, Herrera spoke to The Daily Mail shortly afterward, downplaying the incident. “These things happen,” she said. “It was a mistake, and this is a competition. You have to know how to lose and recognize the triumph of others.”
Despite not advancing, Herrera’s Instagram — with over 21,000 followers — was flooded with supportive messages. Fans from around the world praised her performance and wished her well.
At the same time, others sought to lighten the mood. “Let it be a reason for a good laugh when you remember it in years to come,” one user posted, noting that nerves and excitement often lead to such slip-ups onstage.
The Miss Grand International organization described Herrera as an entrepreneur, singer, and student who believes in faith, discipline, and love. Her resilience and empathy were evident during the mix-up.
Social-media reaction transformed the mishap into collective admiration. The hashtag #MissPanama trended as fans praised Herrera’s grace and composure.
Meanwhile, the competition concluded with Emma Tiglao of the Philippines taking the coveted Miss Grand International 2025 crown. In her acceptance speech, Tiglao commended her fellow contestants for “showing strength, grace, and unity on a global stage.”
Though Tiglao claimed the title, Herrera’s poise amid confusion stole the spotlight, embodying the spirit of pageantry.
Reflecting this sentiment, Herrera once said in an earlier interview shared by the pageant: “It’s not about perfection,” Herrera once said in an earlier interview shared by the pageant. “It’s about how you shine without dimming the light of others.”
