SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica — Costa Rica has officially selected its representative for the 2026 edition of Miss Grand International, widely regarded as the “Asian Miss Universe.”

Model and entrepreneur Catalina Murillo was crowned as Miss Grand Costa Rica 2026 on Wednesday, securing her spot to represent the nation on the international stage in India this coming September.

Who Is Catalina Murillo?

Murillo, 29, resides in San Isidro de Heredia and holds degrees in two distinct fields: Business Administration from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and Digital Marketing from a university in Spain.

Beyond her academic credentials, “Cata” is a seasoned figure in the beauty pageant circuit with an extensive record of domestic and international competitions.

“I am an extremely disciplined, persevering, and very outgoing woman. Since I was a little girl, I have always loved everything related to the beauty world,” Murillo shared.

In addition to modeling, she runs her own content creation agency for brands and operates a non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting underprivileged children.

From Model to International Delegate

Murillo began modeling at age 16 with a local agency before making her pageant debut at age 20 in Miss América Latina. Since then, she has competed in nine pageants—five of them international.

Her passion for pageantry was sparked early in life:

• Early Inspiration: Attended Miss Costa Rica at age 7 (the year Leonora Jiménez competed).
• Pageant Shift: Competed in Miss Costa Rica 2023 before transitioning to Miss Grand Costa Rica.
• Why Miss Grand: Known for emphasis on showmanship, stage presence, dynamic expression, and high energy.

Preparing for Miss Grand International in India

Entered into the national contest as a strong favorite, Murillo maintained a focused mindset throughout the competition.

“From day one, you have to visualize yourself with that crown, believe it, and go in thinking like a queen—always with plenty of humility,” she said.

She confirmed that her title as Miss Grand Costa Rica 2026 marks the culmination of her competitive pageant career. Over the coming months, she will refine her runway presentation, stage presence, and public speaking as she prepares to showcase the determination and energy of Costa Rican women in India this September.

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