The 20th Miss International Queen coronation was long, loud and glittery, with the show ending in the early morning of Sunday, September 20. If you missed it, here is who took the crown and how the Philippines did.
Photo: PEP.phWho won Miss International Queen 2026?
Lo Colby of the USA. She was the oldest of the 27 official candidates, and she still won the crown at 35. PEP.ph called her a Jennifer Lopez look-alike. She also won the special awards for Best Talent and The Future of Beauty.
Who is Lo Colby?
According to Nation Thailand, Lo Colby is a Thai-American transgender woman raised in Hawaii, with family ties to Thailand through her mother. She is a Los Angeles-based drag performer, entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ advocate.
Her win is a first for the pageant. American Midori Monét won in 2025, so this is the first time the same country has won two years in a row.
Who were the runners-up?
- 1st runner-up: Theerachaya Pimkitidaj of Thailand
- 2nd runner-up: Saki Iwai of Japan
How did the Philippines do?
Our representative, Red Spiegelman, made it to the Top 6. Pageant fans know how much this competition means to Filipinos, so a Top 6 finish among 27 candidates is something to be proud of.
Three past Filipina winners were also in the audience: Kevin Balot (Miss International Queen 2012), Trixie Maristela (2015) and Fuschia Anne Rivera (2022).
What made the 20th edition special?
The pageant marked its 20th anniversary, having started on October 29, 2006. The program was long because of the celebration. Haruna Ai, the first Japanese winner in 2009, also lit up the night. Her life story became the Netflix movie This Is I, which premiered on February 10, 2026.
The winners over the years thanked the organization for changing their lives after they joined and won, according to PEP.ph.
Why pageant nights feel like a family event
In a Filipino household, pageant night means everybody has an opinion. Your lola has a favorite, your titos vote for the "maganda ang lakad," and the group chat becomes a live scoreboard. Seeing our bet in the Top 6 gives a little pride, even when the crown goes elsewhere.
Who should represent the Philippines next year? Drop your pick in the comments, and please keep it kind.
Quick answers
Who won Miss International Queen 2026?
Lo Colby of the USA won the 20th Miss International Queen on September 19, 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand.
How did the Philippines do in Miss International Queen 2026?
Red Spiegelman, the Philippine representative, finished in the Top 6.
Who were the runners-up?
Theerachaya Pimkitidaj of Thailand was first runner-up and Saki Iwai of Japan was second runner-up.
Updated September 21, 2026. Sources and photo credits: PEP.ph | Nation Thailand. All photos belong to their respective owners.