The first season's final, featuring 56 contestants, took place on the evening of 30/5 in Thailand. After the host announced the top 18, based on their semi-final performances, the electronic scoreboard suddenly reset to zero. This forced the eight judges to manually re-score contestants based on their live performances during the final.

Contestants participate in the opening group performance of the final. *Photo: MGI*

The competition faced an immediate interruption before the top 18 swimsuit round, as both the live voting and scoring systems malfunctioned. Chairman Nawat posted an apology on the event's fanpage, acknowledging the audience's disrupted experience. The statement assured viewers that organizers were "urgently addressing the problem" to ensure fairness and would resume the live broadcast once the issue was resolved.

After over 40 minutes, the event resumed. However, judges were compelled to score manually using printed lists, rather than displaying scores instantly on screen as in the semi-finals. This manual process significantly delayed the compilation of scores for the top 10, leading organizers to air advertisements for nearly 10 minutes to fill the extended wait.

During the evening gown round, the scoring system remained unfixed. Judges resorted to announcing scores individually via microphone, further prolonging the broadcast. Audiences then endured another 15-minute wait for the top 5 results.

The prolonged delays sparked widespread complaints across beauty forums. A user named Haongo expressed frustration, stating, "I have never watched an international beauty pageant final with such a long wait; it was utterly exhausting." A Philippine beauty page reported issues with casting votes for their country's contestant. Many questioned the accuracy of fan votes, which account for 30% of the final score, given the technical errors. Critics widely described the situation as unprofessional for a major competition that had received extensive prior promotion.

The All Stars edition is part of the Miss Grand International system, announced by Miss Grand International Chairman Nawat in late 2025. This version differs from the original competition by allowing contestants to register freely, without requiring approval from national MGI license holders. It offers an opportunity for former participants in international beauty pageants to compete again. The competition also extends eligibility to transgender individuals, married women, and mothers.

The season ran from 16 to 30/5 in Thailand, featuring various activities. A unique segment, where contestants removed their makeup live on stage before a catwalk, sparked debate. The judging panel included: Osmel Sousa, a renowned Venezuelan beauty expert; Isabella Menin, Miss Grand International 2022; Jupita Jones, Miss Universe 1991; Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005; composer Omar Harfouch; and other notable figures.

Tan Cao