‘Poor Butterflies Had to Suffer’: Beauty Pageant Contestant Criticised for Using Live Creatures

The Controversial Moment

On 17 August, during the Miss Grand Philippines preliminary competition, Caloocan City representative Arianne Villareal shocked audiences when she released live butterflies on stage.

Clips from the event circulated widely online, showing the insects falling to the ground and some being stepped on during the evening gown segment.

(Video Courtesy of GrandPhTV YouTube)

What was reportedly intended as a dramatic and ‘symbolic’ show of ‘tradition’ turned into a point of outrage.

Netizens and Advocates React

Animal welfare groups, reportedly, and online users condemned the act, questioning the ethics of using living creatures as stage props.

A flood of comments followed, with viewers describing the gimmick as careless and cruel.

2015 Miss Grand contestant Georgette Jackson commented on a TikTok post,

‘As a previous Miss Grand (I was the winner for New Zealand 2015) we travelled to Thailand for the final 🫶🏼 but I was known as ‘the chicken girl’ because I bent down at a market to talk to the live meat being sold 😭

I also refused to get on the elephant rides and I cried on the boats when fellow contestants were playing with sea cucumbers. I was seen as a nuisance because of my animal rights ethics and it’s a huge shame that MGI haven’t changed their rules in the past 10 years 💔💔’

Photo Courtesy of Miss Grand International, via Facebook

Villareal’s Explanation

Following the backlash, Villareal posted a lengthy statement on her Instagram, saying the butterflies were meant to represent “beauty, growth, and new beginnings.”

She explained that she drew inspiration from Filipino traditions of releasing butterflies during weddings and other ceremonies, which she associated with transformation and hope.

“If the moment may have been seen differently by some, I sincerely understand and respect those feelings. Pageantry is about learning, evolving, and celebrating individuality,” she wrote.

However, critics were quick to point out the absence of an apology or acknowledgment of harm caused, arguing that her response fell short of addressing the incident.

Butterflies Play Vital Roles; Handling May Hurt Them

Butterflies are not just beautiful—they are essential pollinators that help plants, fruits, and flowers reproduce.

These insects are extremely delicate, with wings covered in tiny scales that cannot regenerate once damaged. Even light contact or stress can prevent them from flying, making live props a harmful choice that endangers their survival.

Releasing them on a stage where they could be harmed prevents them from helping nature, even if they are released back outdoors.

Watch the videos here:

@kapamilyaonlineworld2

YAY OR NAY? 🤔 Arianne Villareal of Caloocan City, a contestant for Miss Grand Philippines 2025, used live butterflies as props while showing off her evening gown for the pageant’s preliminary round. Incorporating live butterflies as props in pageants raises significant ethical concerns and poses risks to the well-being of these delicate creatures. #MissGrandPhilippines #MissGrandPhilippines2025 #MGPH2025 #MGIPH

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