MGI All Stars Judging Sparks Debate After Lupita Jones’ Low Scores for Gazini Ganados

The Miss Grand International (MGI) All Stars competition has been rocked by controversy after Miss Universe 1991 titleholder and pageant director Lupita Jones came under fire for her judging scores, particularly her evaluation of Filipino candidate Gazini Ganados.

Reports revealed that Jones awarded Gazini a score of 7 in the swimsuit round and 5 in the interview portion, figures that immediately sparked criticism from pageant fans and online communities.

Jones later addressed the issue in a livestream, defending her assessment. She stated that she was not fully impressed during Gazini’s closed-door interview, citing a lack of personal connection and concerns over her stage presence and styling choices. She also remarked that Gazini’s off-stage demeanor differed from her on-stage performance, influencing her evaluation.

The comments quickly circulated online, prompting mixed reactions from fans. Some questioned the fairness and transparency of the scoring system, while others argued that judging in pageants remains subjective and varies per panelist.

Despite the controversy, Gazini maintained strong overall performance throughout the competition. Combined support from other judges and public votes allowed her to advance into the Top 10 and eventually secure a spot in the Top 5.

The incident has reignited broader discussions about judging standards, bias allegations, and transparency in international beauty pageants, with fans closely watching how organizers respond to the growing debate.