October 23, 2025 — The Miss Grand International 2025 pageant in Bangkok took a cringe-worthy turn when Miss Panama, Isamar Herrera, mistook Paraguay for Panama during the Top 20 announcement, sparking a viral moment.

Host Matthew Deane’s awkward correction — “I announced Miss Grand Paraguay” — left viewers mortified, but Isamar’s grace and golden gown stole the show. Here’s the full scoop, her classy response, and how to shop her sculptural gold dress look for fall 2025 under $100.

The Awkward Moment: What Happened?

On Oct 18, 2025, during the Miss Grand International final in Bangkok, Isamar Herrera, 31, thought her country was called as a Top 20 finalist. She strutted forward, clapping and posing, only for host Matthew Deane to pause and clarify:

“I beg your pardon, I announced Miss Grand Paraguay.” (E! News, New York Post)

Miss Paraguay, Cecilia Romero, then took the spotlight, while Isamar gracefully returned to

her spot. The hall’s noise was blamed, with Deane noting:

“There is a lot of noise in this hall, packed with fans from all over the world.”

Viral Impact: A TikTok clip (@laurelarisgado) hit 5M views, with fans split between sympathy and shade. Isamar didn’t make the final 22, and Emma Tiglao (Philippines) won, marking a historic back-to-back win for her country (Daily Mail).

Isamar’s Graceful Response: “These Things Happen”

Despite the embarrassment, Isamar stayed poised, telling Daily Mail:

“These things happen. It was a mistake, and this is a competition. You have to know how to lose and recognize the triumph of others.”

Her Instagram (@isamarherrera) reflects her resilience, with a post captioned:

“Thank you for believing in your Panameña… I am very happy to represent you and leave my country high.”

Fans rallied on X and TikTok, with comments like:

• “Panama, Paraguay — easy mix-up! She’s a queen for handling it.” (2K likes)

• “Why didn’t Paraguay move sooner? Messy production!” (1.5K shares)

Steal Isamar’s Gold Gown Glam: Fall 2025 Style

Isamar’s sculptural gold gown by Michael Costello screamed pageant drama and aligns with fall 2025’s metallic trend. Recreate her look on a budget:

• Item.	Pageant Vibe	Runway Price	Budget Dupe	Price	Link
  Gold Sequin Gown	Sculptural glamour.	$1,200 (Costello)	Lulu’s Gold Maxi	$79	Lulus
  Statement Earrings	Bold sparkle	$300	H&M Gold Hoops	$12.99	H&M
  Metallic Clutch	Red-carpet chic	$150	Zara Mini Clutch	$22.90	Zara

Total Budget Look: $114.89

Style Tip: Pair with nude heels and a sleek updo for max elegance.

Echoes of Past Pageant Fails

The blunder drew comparisons to Steve Harvey’s 2015 Miss Universe mix-up, when he named Miss Colombia instead of Miss Philippines. Harvey called it the “worst week of my life” (Comedy Gold Minds, 2021). Fans on X noted:

• “Isamar’s walk-back was iconic — Steve Harvey vibes!” (3K likes)

• “Production needs to get it together — poor Panama!” (1K retweets)