Ignacia Michelson ended her participation in Miss Grand International 2026 after placing among the top 25 contestants at the final gala. The Chilean representative made it past the first cut but did not secure a place in the Top 10, who continued competing in the following stages.
According to chilevision.cl, the model and former reality TV contestant walked in the swimsuit round, which determined the ten contestants who advanced. That was where her run ended. Cooperativa.cl reported that the final gala took place in Thailand.
The announcement that she had reached the Top 25 took her by surprise. User @vinnie_qe shared a video on X of her reaction when her name was called, along with an emotional message about Miss Chile.
During the pageant, the former Gran Hermano contestant presented a national costume inspired by symbols of Chile, such as the condor and huemul deer. Her time in the competition was also marked by the multimillion sum she invested to compete and a much-discussed DJ performance that ended with a wardrobe malfunction, according to Cooperativa.
After the result, Michelson posted a message on Instagram. She thanked those who supported her "even in those moments when I often didn't believe myself that I could do it".
The Chilean contestant acknowledged that she arrived at the pageant without experience and with insecurities she had to confront during her preparation. "Today I can look back and say that I grew, pushed myself further, and together we achieved a TOP placement that would never have been possible without you," she wrote.
She also admitted that she had hoped to advance further. "I wanted to go even further for you, but I leave with a full heart, knowing that I gave everything I had," she said. And she dedicated her result to her country: "This achievement isn't mine alone. It's ours. It belongs to Chile".
Her farewell included a message for those who doubt themselves: "It can be done. I was afraid too". She closed with a wish for her successor: "I sincerely hope the next Miss Grand Chile goes even further than I did, because this is only just beginning".
