How Miss Grand California 2026 Will Be Selected

Miss Grand California 2026 will be selected through a modern casting and digital competition hybrid process designed to highlight each candidate’s personality, confidence, communication skills, and ability to represent the Miss Grand brand.

This format combines professional content creation, social media engagement, and judge evaluation to identify the candidate best prepared to represent California at Miss Grand USA.

Phase 1: Social Media Introduction — 20%

Prior to casting, each candidate will post an introduction video on her social media announcing that she is competing for Miss Grand California.

This video allows candidates to introduce themselves, share their personality, and begin engaging with their audience.

Judges will review these videos as part of the evaluation process.

Judges will consider:

• Communication and personality
• Confidence and authenticity
• Presentation and storytelling
• Ability to represent the Miss Grand California brand

Phase 2: Social Media Activity & Sponsor Support — 20%

Candidates will be evaluated on their overall social media presence and their ability to support the Miss Grand California brand and its official partners online.

Throughout the competition period, candidates may be asked to participate in promotional activities and official posts supporting the organization and its sponsors.

Judges may consider:

• Consistency and quality of social media posting
• Engagement with official competition content
• Promotion of sponsors and partners
• Ability to create engaging digital content
• Professionalism and overall brand presence online

Phase 3: Official Casting Shoot

The official casting will take place in Los Angeles on April 24.

During casting, each candidate will participate in a professional content shoot with The Code Creatives at Cuevas Studios LA. Candidates will be photographed and filmed in multiple looks used for judging, promotional materials, and public voting.

The casting shoot will include the following looks:

Headshot

Each candidate will receive a professional headshot photographed by The Code Creatives. This image will be featured on the official Miss Grand California website and will be used for the People’s Choice voting competition.

Evening Gown — 20%

Candidates will be photographed and filmed in a gown provided by Beauty Queens Galore.

Judges will evaluate:

• Elegance and poise
• Confidence and composure
• Overall presentation
• Photogenic quality

Swimwear — 20%

Candidates will also be photographed and filmed in swimwear.

Judges will evaluate:

• Confidence and poise
• Fitness and posture
• Photogenic presence
• Overall presentation

Phase 4: Casting Interview Video — 20%

During the casting process, each candidate will record an interview video.

Judges will evaluate:

• Communication skills
• Personality and authenticity
• Intelligence and confidence
• Alignment with the values and mission of Miss Grand

People's Choice Competition

Following the casting shoot, each candidate’s headshot will be featured on the official Miss Grand California website.

Public voting will open for the People’s Choice Competition, allowing supporters and fans to vote for their favorite candidate.

The People’s Choice winner will automatically advance to the Top 3.

If the People’s Choice winner is also among the highest scoring candidates based on the judges’ evaluations, the next highest scoring candidate will advance to ensure a full Top 3.

Selection of the Top 3

The Top 3 finalists will consist of:

• 1 People’s Choice winner
• 2 candidates selected by the judging panel based on their overall scores

Judges will determine the remaining four finalists based on the combined scores from all five scoring categories.

Final Selection

Once the Top 3 finalists have been determined, the judging panel will conduct a final virtual interview with the finalists.

Judges will evaluate the Top 3 based on:

• Overall presentation
• Confidence and leadership potential
• Communication and personality
• Alignment with the Miss Grand mission and values
• Potential to represent Miss Grand California at Miss Grand USA

The judging panel will then select the Miss Grand California 2026 titleholder.

Competition Policies

Social Media Participation

As part of the modern Miss Grand format, candidates may be asked to complete official social media posts during the competition period to support the Miss Grand California brand and its sponsors.

These posts may include:

• Sponsor highlights
• Competition announcements
• Promotional content for official partners
• Engagement with official Miss Grand California content

Failure to participate in required promotional activities may impact a candidate’s score in the Social Media Activity & Sponsor Support category.

Judges’ Decisions

Judges are selected based on their professional experience and their ability to evaluate candidates fairly.

All judges’ scores and deliberations are confidential, and the decisions of the judging panel are final.

Content Usage

By participating in the casting process, candidates grant permission for their photos and videos from the casting shoot to be used for promotional purposes related to the Miss Grand California competition.

This includes use on the official website, social media platforms, and marketing materials.

Candidate Conduct

All candidates are expected to represent themselves and the Miss Grand California brand with professionalism, respect, and integrity throughout the casting and competition process.

The organization reserves the right to remove any participant whose conduct is deemed inconsistent with the values of the competition.