Joheirry Mola Dominguez has brought the Miss World crown to the Dominican Republic for the second time, emerging victorious over 110 other contestants at the pageant’s 75th anniversary edition in Vietnam.
The Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola Dominguez has been crowned Miss World 2026, defeating 110 other contestants at the grand finale held in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on Saturday, September 5. The victory gives the Dominican Republic its second Miss World crown, 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez became the country’s first winner in 1982.
Mola succeeded Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, who held the title after winning Miss World 2025. Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern was named first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty finished as second runner-up.
Mola’s victory was closely connected to her social-impact work. During the question-and-answer segment, she spoke about her Beauty With a Purpose project, which focuses on providing English-language education to children in vulnerable communities.
Asked how she would develop the initiative if crowned Miss World, Mola said she wanted to give children access to English as a tool that could open opportunities and help them express themselves.
Her advocacy reflects her professional background as a Literature and Social Studies teacher and founder of Voices of Tomorrow, an initiative focused on expanding English education for children and young people in vulnerable communities.
The other contestants who made it to the final six were Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc of Vietnam, Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin of Eritrea and Romanda Hombir of South Africa.
The 2026 edition marked the first time Vietnam hosted the Miss World competition. The pageant brought together 111 contestants for its 75th anniversary celebration, with the competition narrowing progressively from the Top 40 to the Top 20, Top 12 and finally six finalists.
Nigeria’s representative, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, also delivered a strong performance, advancing to the Top 12 of the competition.
Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, entered the final with considerable momentum after winning the Africa Top Model title, which earned her an automatic place in the Top 40. She had also attracted significant support from Nigerians during the People’s Choice voting stage.
Her advancement to the Top 12 marked another significant achievement for Nigeria at the global pageant. Under the 2026 format, the Top 20 was narrowed to 12 contestants through a combination of continental selections, Beauty With a Purpose and public voting.
Karibi-George also represented Nigeria with her Beyond Labels advocacy platform, which focuses on inclusion and opportunities for children with disabilities and special needs. Her performance throughout the competition had made her one of Africa’s leading contestants before the final.
