Goa, An International Tourist Destination, Welcomes New Beauty Pageant Miss Goa International in London

Goa has long been recognised as an international tourist destination, but its influence extends far beyond its borders, with communities established across the world.

Goa was once a former territory of Portugal and is known as the “Pearl of the Orient.” Over generations, Goans have travelled and settled across different countries, creating a diverse international diaspora while maintaining connections to their Goan heritage.

Goans come in all colours, races and ethnicities. The participants of Miss Goa International included Goans from Goa, Portuguese-Goans from the UK, British with Goan ancestry, and Canadian Goans. For most of the participants, the pageant provided an opportunity to connect with the Goan diaspora around the world.

Against this backdrop, the launch of Miss Goa International introduced a pageant focused specifically on Goan heritage and its worldwide community, while connecting Goa’s distinctive culture, history, cuisine and music with its international diaspora.

The pageant was founded by Los Angeles-based Hollywood film director Milroy Goés, a Television Academy Emmy Voting Member, together with Jason Diniz, Vilber De Costa and Metroy Soares, representing J&D Entertainment, Navayah Films, Moqui Pictures and Event Architect, respectively.

The organisers have described the concept as a travelling international pageant, with future auditions potentially taking place in different countries to reflect the geographic reach of the Goan diaspora. Co-founder Milroy Goés said he also hopes to place greater focus on fashion designers from Goa in future editions. Among those he would like to feature is Verma D’Mello, a Goa-based fashion designer with an international presence.

That international character was reflected in the inaugural Miss Goa International 2026, held in London, United Kingdom. The first edition brought together 12 finalists representing Goa, the United Kingdom and Canada. The contestants included women from Goa, Portuguese-Goans from the UK, British women with Goan ancestry and Canadian Goans.

Through the pageant, the organisers aim to connect Goan heritage with fashion, film, entertainment and media while creating a platform that reflects the diverse communities that trace their roots to Goa.

The First Crown

Fay Fernandes was crowned Miss Goa International 2026 at the inaugural event, held at Radisson RED London Heathrow on September 6, 2026. Luanna Fernandes was named First Runner-Up, while Erika Martha Dcosta was also among the Second Runner-Up titleholders recognised during the first edition.

The event marked the establishment of Miss Goa International as a new pageant brand with an international focus.

Support From Media, Fashion and Entertainment

The debut received support from organisations and brands connected with the Goan and British-Asian communities.

Among those associated with the event were Goa-based news network Prudent Media, UK television network Panjab TV, Brit Punjabi, Pukaar News, Lyca Radio, and fashion brand Yashwanti London, alongside other notable brand partners and supporters.

The event also received support from social media promoter MBD Micheal Bevan Dsilva; Goa coordinator Cliff Rodrigues; fashion photographers Kashmiri Lal of Capture Frame Pro and Cliffer Rebello of Owlpix Studio; London-based makeup artist and beauty brand Frenza Fernandes; DJ Dylan Rodrigues; violinist Malishka Vaz; and Los Angeles-based singer Shannon K, who provided the runway tracks. Support also came from Goa restaurant brand Martins Corner and wellness partner IIY Phytoventra.

The judging panel brought together personalities from different professional backgrounds.

Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz, a former British politician and Lyca Radio host, was among the judges. Vaz later interviewed Fay Fernandes on Lyca Radio, where her appearance drew a response from listeners.

British actress Holly Prentice, who is currently working on her next feature film, Bodies in the Trees, also served as a judge. Her involvement gave her an opportunity to interact with members of the Goan diaspora and learn more about the history and presence of Portuguese-Goans in the United Kingdom. Reflecting on the experience, Prentice described it as a privilege to judge the inaugural Miss Goa International and said that what stayed with her most was seeing Goan women take to the stage with confidence, individuality and a strong sense of identity.

Prentice, who also works as a producer and filmmaker, said empowerment and self-belief are important to her, emphasising the significance of women using their voices and pursuing opportunities both in front of and behind the camera. She said the experience served as a reminder of the talent, ambition and confidence women can demonstrate when given an opportunity to express themselves and be seen.

The experience comes as Prentice prepares for the next stage of her own filmmaking career. In January, she plans to travel to Los Angeles with her business partner, Jake Waring, and their company, SFC Studios, to introduce Bodies in the Trees to the film industry. Prentice described making the feature as a significant journey for the team, having developed the project from the ground up, with the Los Angeles trip marking the next stage of its development.

Former beauty pageant titleholder Meurel Viegas also served on the judging panel, while Savio Terry, a Heathrow Airport lounge manager and a familiar face within the Goan community, was among the other judges.

The panel was completed by Seazel Fernandes, a cancer biologist and Ph.D. research scholar.

A Pageant Built Around the Goan Diaspora

Miss Goa International is designed for women of Goan heritage, bringing together contestants from different countries while connecting their heritage with opportunities in entertainment, fashion, film and media.

Rather than focusing solely on a traditional beauty title, the organisers describe the pageant as a platform through which contestants can develop professional opportunities, public profiles and connections within the creative industries.

The international composition of the first group of finalists was central to that concept.

With participants coming from Goa, the UK and Canada, the inaugural edition reflected the different ways Goan identity has developed across generations and countries.

From the 2026 Crown to 2027

The inaugural pageant is also being developed into content beyond the live event.

Filmmaker Milroy Goés has compiled footage documenting the preparations, contestants and personalities surrounding the competition into a limited episodic series. The production was filmed by Kashmiri Lal and Cliffer Rebello and edited in Hollywood, Los Angeles, by Television Academy member Parmindar Karla.

A limited-edition Miss Goa International 2026 magazine and the official 2027 calendar are also planned, providing an additional platform for contestants, partners and sponsors.

The next chapter is already being prepared.

Entries for Miss Goa International 2027 are scheduled to go live on the official Miss Goa International website in October 2026, under the theme “One Crown — Taking the World to Goa.”

The next edition is expected to open the competition to another group of women of Goan heritage from around the world, continuing the pageant's international approach.

The inaugural 2026 edition began with a single crown, but the organisers are developing Miss Goa International as a recurring international platform connecting Goan identity with film, fashion, entertainment, culture and philanthropy.

For Fay Fernandes, the journey begins with the first crown.

For Miss Goa International, the next chapter begins with 2027.