In a moment that quickly captured the internet’s attention, Isamar Herrera, representing Panama at the Miss Grand International 2025 pageant in Thailand, experienced an onstage mishap that has since gone viral.
During the announcement of the Top 22 contestants, Herrera, 31, stepped forward with excitement, believing her name had been called. Her joyous celebration, complete with fist pumps, was captured by the cameras.
However, the celebratory mood was short-lived as the host clarified that the announced name belonged to Cecilia Romero from Paraguay. The host attributed the confusion to the loud atmosphere and the sheer volume of enthusiastic fans.
Herrera then retreated to her original spot, a moment of awkwardness for both her and the audience. The clip has since been widely shared on social media platforms, prompting a wave of reactions. Many users have expressed empathy, suggesting that the names might sound similar or that a language barrier could have contributed to the misunderstanding.
Some comments highlighted Herrera’s grace in handling the situation, with one user saying, “Panama, Canada, Paraguay, sound the same, don’t condemn her.” Another user sympathized, “Maybe she didn’t really understand because of language barrier.”
Herrera herself has reportedly taken the incident in stride, emphasizing the nature of competition and the importance of recognizing others’ triumphs. The Miss Grand International 2025 crown was ultimately awarded to Emma Tiglao of the Philippines.