Dominican Republic Wins Miss World 2026 as Nigeria’s Representative Exits in Top 12
By Asaye Bankole
Nigeria’s representative at the 2026 Miss World pageant, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, has ended her campaign after reaching the Top 12, while Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic emerged as the overall winner.
Mola was crowned Miss World 2026 on Saturday during the grand finale of the 73rd edition of the prestigious pageant, held at April 2 Square in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
Her victory marked the second time the Dominican Republic has produced a Miss World winner.The country’s first title came 44 years earlier, when Mariasela Álvarez won the crown in 1982.Mola succeeded Thailand’s Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri, who won the 2025 edition and officially crowned her successor at the finale.
Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern finished as the first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty emerged as the second runner-up.Chetty
also received the Beauty with a Purpose award in recognition of her social impact initiatives.Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, delivered a strong performance throughout the competition, progressing through several stages before securing a place among the Top 12.
However, she was unable to advance to the final Top Six.The Nigerian contestant had earlier earned an automatic spot in the Top 40 after winning the Africa Top Model title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest.She
She defeated representatives from Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya and South Africa to claim the continental modelling title.She subsequently progressed to the Top 20 and then the Top 12, where her journey eventually came to an end.
Her Top 12 placement was achieved alongside contestants from Brazil, France, the Philippines, Zambia and Zimbabwe, who also failed to make the final six.
The six finalists were Mola of the Dominican Republic, Reynés of Spain, Chetty of Malaysia, Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc of Vietnam, Romanda Hombir of South Africa and Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin of Eritrea.Mola, 24, is a literature and social studies teacher, professional model, news correspondent and community advocate.She
She holds a degree in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana.She is also the founder of Voices of Tomorrow, an initiative that seeks to provide English-language education to children and young people living in vulnerable communities.
Her advocacy for improved access to education was one of the major themes of her campaign during the pageant, particularly during the final stages of the competition.Mola had earlier won the Americas and Caribbean Top Model title, which secured her automatic qualification for the Top 40.
Her eventual victory further reinforced the Miss World organisation’s long-standing “Beauty with a Purpose” philosophy, which combines beauty and modelling with humanitarian work, social advocacy and community development.For Nigeria, Karibi-George’s performance represented another notable showing on the international stage.
The 26-year-old, who is from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, represented Bayelsa State at the national pageant.She was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 in June at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.She succeeded Joy Mojisola Raimi, who reached the Top 20 at the 2025 Miss World competition.Karibi-George is a communications professional, model, actress, voice-over artist, event host and scriptwriter.
She is also the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative focused on inclusion, dignity, education and empowerment for children with disabilities, special needs and neurodivergent individuals.
During the Miss World competition, she took part in the Head-to-Head Challenge and Talent Competition, where she performed “Opportunity” by Sia.She
She also used the international platform to showcase Nigerian culture and heritage through several of her outfits, with some designs drawing inspiration from the Niger Delta’s environmental and cultural identity.
Among her most notable appearances was the “Amazon of the Mangrove” costume, which was designed to symbolise environmental resilience and the strength of women. She also wore a green-and-white evening gown inspired by Nigeria’s national colours.
The 2026 Miss World competition featured 111 contestants grouped into four continental regions: Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Europe, and Asia and Oceania.
Contestants competed through various stages, including fast-track challenges, before progressing through the Top 40, Top 20, Top 12 and Top Six rounds.The winner and runners-up were subsequently selected from the final group.
The 2026 edition was the first time Vietnam hosted the Miss World pageant and also coincided with the organisation’s 75th anniversary.The competition also featured several countries making their Miss World debut, including Eritrea, French Guiana, the Maldives, Mozambique and Pakistan.
Following Mola’s crowning, Tanzania is scheduled to host the 74th edition of the Miss World pageant in 2027.
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