The Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola Dominguez was crowned Miss World 2026 during the final event of the pageant held on Saturday at the April 2 Square in Nha Trang, Vietnam. This victory marks the second Miss World title for the Dominican Republic, following Mariasela Álvarez’s win in 1982.
Competition Highlights
Mola, who is 24 years old and works as a literature and social studies teacher, triumphed over a field of 111 contestants, ultimately succeeding Thailand’s Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri from the previous year. The first runner-up was Elisabeth Reynés Alabern from Spain, with Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty taking the second runner-up position. Chetty was also honored with the Beauty with a Purpose award for her social initiatives.
Nigeria’s representative, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, advanced to the Top 12 before concluding her journey in the competition. Commonly known as Soye, she had earlier secured a place in the Top 40 by winning the Africa Top Model title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest, outperforming candidates from several African nations.
Karibi-George’s performance saw her move through the Top 20 and Top 12 stages, sharing this accomplishment with contestants from Brazil, France, the Philippines, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The final six contestants selected included Mola, Reynés, Chetty, Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc from Vietnam, Romanda Hombir of South Africa, and Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin of Eritrea.
Mola’s educational advocacy was central to her competition narrative, particularly in the final stages, where she emphasized the importance of accessible education through her initiative “Voices of Tomorrow,” aimed at children in underprivileged communities. She previously earned the Americas and Caribbean Top Model title, ensuring her placement in the Top 40.
Karibi-George, 26, hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and represented Bayelsa State at the national level, having been crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 in June. She is a communications professional and founder of “Beyond Labels,” a program supporting children with disabilities and special needs. Her competition appearances included performances in both the Head-to-Head Challenge and Talent Competition, where she showcased Nigerian culture through her costumes, including designs inspired by the Niger Delta.
The 2026 Miss World competition comprised contestants divided into four continental groups: Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Europe, and Asia and Oceania. This edition of the pageant was not only notable for being the first held in Vietnam but also commemorated the organization’s 75th anniversary. It included several nations making their debut, such as Eritrea and the Maldives. Following this year’s event, the next Miss World pageant is set to take place in Tanzania in 2027.
Why It Matters
The Miss World pageant continues to draw attention not just for its beauty aspects, but for its emphasis on social impact initiatives led by contestants. The event highlights cultural representation and the importance of advocacy through its “Beauty with a Purpose” philosophy, influencing audiences and participants around the world.
