Welcome to the home of GRAND ICONIC MISS
"Redefining distinctive excellence in Pageantry"
Your journey begins here...
Grand Iconic Miss: Our Mission
"It's about legacy, it's about moments, it's about being an ICON." Grand Iconic Miss is more than a pageant; it is a journey of growth, empowerment, and self-discovery. GIM is a non-contractual pageant that sets the stage for you to thrive in every aspect of competition, giving you the opportunity to leave your mark in the world of pageantry. The very definition of an Icon is: a person or thing widely admired especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere. Our mission is to create an atmosphere for you to excel and become the best version of yourself, on and off the runway. We celebrate elegance, intelligence, and a deep love for fashion and service. Our goal is to develop and build confidence with every step you take as part of the Grand Iconic Miss family. The journey begins the moment you decide to join GIM... are you ready to become an ICON?
2025 Senior "ICON" of the Year
Kiran Reddy
2025 Junior "ICON" of the Year
Luciana Espinosa
Meet our ICONIC Queens
Miss Mini 2-3: Esme Jenkins
Esme, a sparkling three-year-old from Poinciana, Florida, who stepped onto the stage at just two years old and hasn’t stopped shining since! With a love for pink, purple, and all things fabulous, Esme is a true Seizure Warrior Princess-strong, brave, and full of joy.
When she’s not lighting up the stage in a beauty pageant, you’ll find her modeling, singing, dancing, or scoring goals on the soccer field. Esme also loves playing video games, enjoying pizza, chicken nuggets, and fries, and spending time with her big brother and friends at daycare. With confidence in her step and a sparkle in her eye, Esme is ready to take the stage and show the world the power of courage, joy, and how to be ICONIC!
Miss Junior Princess 4-6: Elena Essington
From Saint Augustine, Florida, Elena is 6 years old with a love of dance, pageants, reading, animals, and Jesus. She enjoys doing acro, ballet, and Irish dance, though she will say her favorite is acro because of how flexible she is! When she isn’t competing in pageants or dancing, you will likely find Elena volunteering at the Jacksonville Humane Society as a Pawsitive Reader, making bookmarks and cards, or spending time with residents at the local veterans’ nursing home, as she loves helping make her community a better place. Being a true Florida girl, Elena enjoys going to the beach, both to play and to help – as she regularly participates in beach clean ups and is a junior sea turtle patroller.
In addition to being an all A student, Elena was awarded the Servant Leader Award for 1st grade at her school as well as being the recipient of the Fruit of the Spirit: Joy Award in Kindergarten. In November of 2024, she received the GOLD Presidential Volunteer Service Award for completing over 85 hours of community service.
Through her platform, LENA’s Letters, Elena takes her love of reading to a new level. From book drives to making bookmarks to reading to the shelter animals, Lena hopes to inspire young people to read, after all, according to her favorite author Dr. Seuss: “The more you read, the more things you will know!”
Miss Princess 7-9: Meighlah Laing
From Tampa Florida, Meighlah is a vivacious 7 year old powerhouse. Nicknamed Meeps' by everyone who loves her she loves pageants, modeling, the ocean and all things outdoors.
When she's not commanding the stage you can find her on set filming for Disney and Universal Studios with her family or somewhere with the wind in her hair and a smile on her face.
Meighlah is an A honor roll first grader and has been awarded the kindness award four times, the outstanding science and explorer award and is an avid reader and cheerleader for the Sharks.
Meighlah has taken part and helped organize many collection drives for her local women and children's center, the Hope children's home and for the victims of hurricanes Milton and Helene. Her caring heart for those less fortunate leads her to want to help as many people as she can.
She says even a smile or a hug can make a difference in someone's day but when we can do more ...we do more!
Miss Pre-Teen 10-12: Brianna Reed
Brianna is a vibrant 12-year-old competitive dancer, model, and pageant queen whose heart shines just as brightly as her talent. With over six years of dance experience and more than 20 hours of weekly training, Brianna performs with both the Somerset Pantherettes and Dancer’s Gallery. While she loves all styles of dance, contemporary is her favorite—it gives her the power to tell stories and connect with others through movement.
Beyond the spotlight, Brianna is deeply committed to making a difference. She is the proud co-founder of Shine Bright Society, a youth-led nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading kindness and supporting those in need - organizing toy drives, holiday gift donations, and their signature event, the Denim & Diamonds Fashion Show, which raised funds to support local families. Through her platform, Brianna continues to advocate for compassion, youth empowerment, and community involvement.
Since her modeling debut at just 7 months old, Brianna has appeared in international campaigns for brands like Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Children’s Place, and Wubble. Her confidence and poise have also earned her several prestigious pageant titles, including International Miss American Teen Princess 2022, 2024 International Citrus Preteen, and 2025 Miss Grand Iconic Preteen.
Academically driven and endlessly curious, Brianna is especially passionate about marine biology. She dreams of exploring the ocean, protecting marine life, and one day becoming a marine biologist. After attending an ocean exploration camp and discovering her love for snorkeling, she’s already planning to tackle surfing next. Brianna hopes to blend her passions by becoming both a marine biologist and a choreographer—proving that with hard work and heart, you really can do it all.
Miss Junior Teen 13-15: Sarah Duncan
Sarah attends Crystal River High School, where she is enrolled in a challenging biomedical program. She is a National Honor Society student and an active member of HOSA. Sarah also participates in a culinary program, which she truly enjoys. In addition, she serves on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council and is a proud member of the school’s tennis team. Sarah is heavily involved in leadership activities and has been selected to represent her county this summer at Florida’s Leadership Conference for high school students.
She has won both school and regional science fairs for the past three consecutive years and is a three-time state science fair qualifier. Sarah was awarded a prestigious scholarship by Duke Energy for her outstanding science fair project. This year at the state science fair, she also received the Broward County Scholarship for excellence in science. She’s already working on next year’s research project—this girl truly loves science!
In her free time, Sarah enjoys hanging out with friends, playing tennis, cooking, shopping, growing plants, and modeling. She absolutely loves animals and has four dogs, two cats, and a pet bunny named Hoptart!
Sarah is also passionate about volunteering. She frequently donates her time to the United Way, the VFW, and various community events. She actively promotes her platform, STEM Queens, which encourages young women to pursue and excel in careers in science, technology, engineering, and medicine. She has even pioneered an after-school STEM program for local middle schools to help spark a love of STEM in younger students.
Driven by her desire to make a difference, Sarah plans to pursue a career in medicine as a reconstructive plastic surgeon. She is dedicated to helping her community and hopes to continue encouraging young women and giving back even after medical school.
If you ever meet Sarah, you’ll immediately notice how infectious her smile and personality are. She’s funny, kind, and truly loves people. Her advice?
“Always be on time, be prepared, and always be kind… kindness is free.”
Miss Teen 16-18: Jaylene Caro
Jaylene is a dedicated and passionate young woman who balances her love for professional modeling, athletics, advocacy, and academics with grace and determination. As both a competitive flag football player and a cheerleader, she thrives in teamwork-driven environments, always pushing herself and those around her to excel.
Her drive extends beyond the field, as she recently placed top 5 in the prestigious Miss Florida Teen USA pageant—an accomplishment that reflects her poise, confidence, and commitment to making a difference. With a deep passion for urban design, Jaylene plans to pursue this field in college, aiming to create sustainable and inclusive spaces that benefit communities for generations to come.
As an older sister and mentor, Jaylene takes pride in guiding her peers, particularly in environmental advocacy, a cause she holds close to her heart. She believes in using her platform to spark meaningful conversations and inspire action about our environment, especially as a multicultural teen navigating the world with the goal of leaving a lasting, positive impact.
With an unwavering commitment to growth and service, Jaylene is determined to be a voice for change—whether on the field, in her community, or in the cities she hopes to shape in the future.
Miss 19-28: Taylor Leidel
Taylor is a 20-year Florida native. With a heart for service, a passion for mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to leadership, Taylor uses her platform to inspire, empower, and give back to her community.
Currently a senior at the University of Florida, Taylor is on the pre-law track, majoring in political science, with aspirations to attend Stetson Law School. She dreams of blending her love for law with her passion for the entertainment industry, seeking a career where she can advocate for the arts, entertainment, and intellectual property rights. As a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, Taylor embraces the motto “Do Good” and carries it with her in all her endeavors, especially in her volunteer work. She is also an active member of the South Florida State College PAWSitive Alumni Club, where she mentors college students, providing guidance and fostering a supportive community.
Alongside her academic and leadership pursuits, Taylor is an aspiring model and is eager to explore the entertainment industry from both a creative and legal perspective. Her pageant journey in the Miss USA and Miss America systems has sharpened her public speaking and advocacy skills, preparing her for a career that blends the worlds of law, media, and entertainment.
In her free time, Taylor pursues a variety of activities that keep her both physically active and engaged. She is an enthusiastic scuba diver and snorkeler, with a strong appreciation for exploring the ocean's depths. Additionally, she enjoys dancing, working out, and staying active. Outside of her physical pursuits, Taylor is an avid reader, always seeking new knowledge and perspectives.
Woman 29-40: Akifa Khattak
Akifa is a healthcare attorney with a Juris Doctorate, Master’s in Health Administration from Cornell University, and a Master’s in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. She is a co-founder of Her Health AI, a Femtech company specializing in non-invasive diagnostics for endometriosis. The company recognition includes winning the Johnson & Johnson Startup Pitch Competition at HLTH and being named a semi-finalist for both the Digital HLTH Hub Awards and HITLAB, Forbes, & WSJ. For over a decade, she has worked toward a public platform to create real impact.
As a public speaker and healthcare advocate for women’s health technology, Akifa is actively involved in policy reform through the Womens Health Advocates Coalition, which is lobbying for the bipartisan Find It Early Breast Cancer Act and having Endometriosis on the ADA Disability List, with the White House. She also leverages her public platform as Miss North Orlando for Miss USA 2025 to promote awareness and share her advocacy work through creative outlets such as media, fashion, comedy, and sports.
She is a member of HIMSS, Chiefs in Intellectual Property, Women's Digital Health Network, and the American Health Law Association. Her professional contributions include authoring several legal articles, co-authoring Healthcare Entrepreneurship (specifically the chapter A Lawyer's Role in Digital Health Innovation), authoring the legal article The Health and Legal Considerations of Computer-Brain Interface Technology.
Under her supervising attorney, she drafted legal arguments for the U.S. Court of Appeals, one below the Supreme Court of US, on food transportation issues and enacted a Pennsylvania law/ordinance on Complete Streets sustainability. Additionally, she has worked on cases involving DOJ investigations into Medicare and Medicaid fraud exceeding $50 million and Environmental Crimes Investigations with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. She also was a guest law lecturer for digital health.
As a millennial with diverse interests—ice hockey, stand-up comedy, modeling, free diving, and a love for UFC she wants to educate and inspire through reliability. She is bridging technical with creative and professional with public platforms. She believes if you can aspire you can inspire and we are better together.
Junior ICON of the Year: Luciana Espinosa
Luciana Espinoza is a 12-year-old proudly born in Venezuela and honored to serve as your Grand Icon of the Year 2025. With a passion for service, the environment, and helping others, Luciana brings heart and purpose to everything she does.
She is the creator of EcoRise, her environmental project that encourages kids and teens to protect the planet through beach cleanups, recycling tips, and educational content. Her goal is to show others that small actions can lead to big change.
Luciana is also a proud brand ambassador for Elsa Fairy Dresses, embodying grace, creativity, and youth empowerment through fashion. She has walked the runway in some of the industry’s most Iconic events, including New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, and Art Basel, shining with elegance and confidence at every step.
A talented professional Model & gymnast, Luciana is a two-time state champion, and she’s also an outstanding school athlete in track, showcasing her strength, discipline, and commitment both on and off the field.
She is a straight A student who balances school with community work, family time, and caring for her three dogs. She’s known for her positive energy, dedication, and strong sense of leadership, always ready to stand up for what she believes in.
Senior ICON of the Year: Kiran Reddy
Kiran is a 17 year old rising senior that is fueled with a passion for making a difference. Whether through academics, volunteer work, or community involvement, Kiran approaches every endeavor with compassion and a genuine desire to help others.
She lives in Douglas, GA and attends Coffee High School. Kiran is a dedicated student who is currently in the top 5% of her class and is involved in various clubs and organizations within her school. Her commitment to excellence extends beyond academics — she is also a member of the Varsity Swim Team as well as the Douglas Stingrays Swim Team!
With over 300 hours of community service, Kiran continues to make a lasting impact through her volunteer work in the Labor and Delivery Wing of Coffee Regional Medical Center and her service as a Coffee County Chamber of Commerce Junior Ambassador. Her recent role as a Page at the Georgia House of Representatives further fueled her passion for being a strong voice in her community.
In addition to her efforts in her school and community, Kiran found a passion for modeling through Michelle's Formal Wear and even got the opportunity to model for designer Ashley Lauren at Atlanta Apparel Mart!
Kiran was recently crowned the 2025 Grand Iconic Miss Icon of the Year, which is an achievement that she is incredibly proud and honored to hold. For her this means more than a crown; it is the opportunity and platform to continue uplifting others, promoting kindness, and serving her community.
OUR 2025 ELITE ROYALS
OUR 2024 ELITE ROYALS
2026 ICONIC Judges
McKenzie Mitchell
Since she could walk and talk, McKenzie has had a microphone in her hand and a passion for performing. Mckenzie has been professionally modeling since the young age of 5 working with the likes of Legoland, The SEC Network, Jovani Fashions and more. With a degree in broadcast journalism from The University of Mississippi, throughout her time in college McKenzie served as the sole emcee for Ole Miss Athletics for 4 years which gave her real life experience for her later career. McKenzie has been a working on-camera host seen on international television for nearly a decade. She is best known for her time at WWE, where she served as an announcer, weekly correspondent on live global television, and host in all capacities. You could find McKenzie on WWE's weekly social show or in an arena near you interacting with an audience of thousands. McKenzie is the creator of THREADS with MCKENZIE MITCHELL which takes a deep dive into the closets of celebrities, athletes, and superstars and talks about iconic looks from iconic moments in the past. Furthermore, blending the word of fashion and professional wrestling - McKenzie is the new author of Threads of Triumph: Professional Wrestling's Most Iconic Looks, a coffee table book that features over 50 of the most memorable wardrobe stories and moments in sports entertainment, dating back to the 1940s. Pageantry gave McKenzie her foundation for her success, as she was a top 5 in Miss MO Teen USA winning interview both years and top 10 in Miss Mississippi USA. In 2013 she was crowned National Miss working hand in hand with Give Kids The World. Outside of her on-camera ventures, McKenzie is the CEO and Founder of Headline by MM, an edgy, statement jewelry company that carries on a family legacy and is about empowering individuals to live in their most confident skin.
Aileen Cerchiara
Aileen Cerchiara is a 26-year-old Florida native and proud multicultural Latina with a deep passion for service and leadership. She is a cardiovascular progressive care unit nurse with over five years of experience, specializing in the care of patients preparing for open-heart surgery and cardiac catheterizations. In high-pressure environments, Aileen plays a vital role in leading nursing teams during medical emergencies, combining clinical excellence with compassion and grace. Driven by personal loss and purpose, Aileen is the founder of the Making Days Significant campaign, created in honor of her father, who bravely battled a rare form of cancer, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Through this initiative, she has partnered with the National MDS Association to spread awareness, educate communities, and advocate for early detection and research. Her mission is rooted in turning adversity into action and ensuring that every day carries meaning and impact. Aileen’s dedication to excellence extends beyond healthcare and advocacy. She was honored as First Runner-Up at Miss Florida USA 2025, competing among more than 80 remarkable women from across the state. She is deeply passionate about beauty, health, and wellness, and believes in empowering others to lead confident, balanced, and purpose-driven lives.
Austin Ivory Phelps
Austin Ivory Phelps
Austin Ivory Phelps is a graduate of Campbell University. A native North Carolinian, he now lives and works in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has over 25 years’ experience in the pageant, modeling, and entertainment industry in many different facets. He has spent many years also modeling starting as a toddler doing print, runway, and commercial shows. He has held titles on the local, state, national and international level and now runs his own emcee/consulting business called, The Ivory Image, LLC. He emcees local, state, national and international pageants, dance competitions and more! Austin has multiple non-profit organizations with the original being Operation Raglie, which takes, stuffed Animals and blankets to children in hospitals, as well as an organization called Allie Rags where he Provides bereavement gowns for infants and newborns who have passed. Austin has heavy knowledge in vocal performance, dance and cheer. He has sung his entire life, was a competitive dancer for four years, and was a collegiate cheerleader for a national winning collegiate team. He has a strong belief in hard work, which allowed him to graduate in 2014 with his High School Diploma & 2-year Associate’s Degree. He then proceeded to attend Campbell University where he graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Pre-Law. In college, he was a founding Father of Phi Delta Theta – NC Zeta Fraternity, cheerleader, VP of the Gospel Choir, and worked with marketing for athletics. Austin says his life in pageantry and entertainment has truly helped mold the man he has become today and truly wants to help preach & teach the purpose and productivity of pageantry!
Kelsey Craft
Madison Anderson
Austin Ivory Phelps
Kelsey Craft is the reigning Miss Alaska USA and has been involved in the pageant world for over 12 years. She previously held the title of Miss International 2017, during which she traveled to all 50 states in one year as a national spokesperson for Go Red for Women and Blue Zones Project. Outside of pageantry, Kelsey is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in aesthetics. She has worked nationally with Merz Aesthetics as both a trainer and territory manager and now consults with medical spas across Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Missouri. She is also a volunteer yoga instructor and passionate advocate for mind-body balance. Kelsey is the founder of the Craft Your Beauty Scholarship, which celebrates graduating high school seniors committed to making the world a more beautiful place. She is currently building Replenish Wellness and Aesthetics Studio in Gainesville, Georgia to foster a community that prioritizes longevity and wellness.
Madison Anderson
Madison Anderson
Madison Anderson
Madison Anderson is a model, entrepreneur, beauty and empowerment advocate, and internationally recognized public figure. She is the founder of ALAS, an activewear brand created to inspire women to reconnect with their strength, confidence, and identity, and Madison Anderson Beauty (MAB), a cosmetics line dedicated to celebrating authenticity, self-expression, and personal power.
Madison gained international recognition after being crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2019, going on to represent Puerto Rico at the Miss Universe 2019 competition, where she earned the title of First Runner-Up. She later captured global attention as the winner of the hit reality show La Casa de los Famosos, further expanding her reach and influence across audiences worldwide.
Today, Madison uses her voice and platform to inspire women around the world to celebrate who they are, embrace their journey, and step confidently into their power.
Grand Iconic Production
Alyssa Khan - Iconic Emcee
Alyssa Khan was crowned Miss Florida Teen USA 2022, proudly representing her hometown of Cooper City in her first-ever pageant. During her reign, she dedicated her time to volunteering with organizations across Florida, making a meaningful impact within her community. A natural people person, Alyssa finds fulfillment in giving back and forming genuine connections with others.
Alyssa is a proud graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. She currently works at The Bank of New York as a Client Processing Associate II within Alternative Investor Servicing, specializing in Transfer Agency operations. This role allows her to support complex client operations while continuing to build a strong foundation in the financial services industry.
Passionate about financial literacy and personal growth, Alyssa aspires to develop impactful programs that educate middle and high school students on the importance of managing their finances from an early age. With a lifelong love for pageantry, she also hopes to one day compete for the Miss Universe title, using the platform to amplify her advocacy and inspire others.
Jorge Esteban - Iconic Emcee
Jorge’s professional experience encompasses over 30 years in telecommunications and more than 10 years in the pageant industry. He is a graduate of Florida International University, School of Business as well as earned a Masters in Project Management from George Washington University. Jorge is a past recipient of the Global Beauty Awards for Best International Director and winner of Best Interview Coach titles from notable organizations. In 2014, he officially launched his dream of having his own interview preparation consulting company and was the visionary in creating the nationally successful NO FEAR Program. To date, Jorge has worked with clients that have won the prestigious titles of Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss America, USA National Miss, Miss USA Earth, Mrs. USA Earth, Mis United States of America, International Junior Miss, National American Miss, Miss High School America and many more!
Sharlysse Nelson - Iconic Emcee
Shar Nelson is the current Miss Florida Teen All-American 2025 and earned the distinction of 2nd Runner-Up at the inaugural Miss Teen All-American national pageant in Charleston, South Carolina. She is also the former Miss Florida Teen USA 2023 and competed at the national Miss Teen USA competition in Reno, Nevada, where she received the Best Impact Award.
A proud first-generation college student, Shar is pursuing a degree in broadcast and sports journalism. Outside of the classroom, she’s a content creator for nonprofits, helping organizations reach audiences with strategy-driven content that has reached over 500k views. She serves as the Legacy Director of Kada’s Promise, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing teddy bears to abused and neglected children in child advocacy centers across the globe. In this role, she manages its presence across all social media platforms and oversees an international ambassador program of more than 90 youth leaders representing 45 states and 6 countries. At the early age of 9, she created the Change for Charity Initiative with a vision to reduce the negative impacts of Child Hunger.
In addition to her advocacy and leadership work, Shar is the founder and coach behind Coach With Shar, a pageant walking and confidence coaching platform dedicated to refining stage presence and helping competitors perfect their walk to the crown with poise and purpose.
SPONSORS
Hair & Make-up Vendors
