The world has a new queen! Dominicana Joheirry Mola Dominguez was crowned Miss World 2026 during the annual pageant’s grand finale in Vietnam on Saturday, September 5.
The 24-year-old teacher, journalist and model outperformed 110 other beauty queens from across the globe to succeed Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, and bring the Dominican Republic its second Miss World crown in 44 years.
Mariasela Alvarez was the first Dominican delegate to win the title in 1982.
The top 6
The final moments of the Miss World conclusion at April 2 Square in Nha Trang city came down to three names, each representing a nation’s pride and beauty.
At the end, it was Dominguez who owned the night, with Elisabeth Reynés Alabern of Spain finishing as the first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty was hailed the second runner-up. The latter also won the Beauty with a Purpose Award.
Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc of Vietnam, Romanda Hombir of South Africa and Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin of Eritrea also made it to the final round of the competition, with Tewoldemedhin also receiving the People’s Choice Award.
This year’s Miss World edition coincided with the pageant’s 75th anniversary.
The winning answer
Dominguez clinched victory during the seaside coronation by expounding on what it means to be a “beauty with a purpose.”
“Which beauty with a purpose goals have you supported in your country, and how would you grow it if you were crowned Miss World?” Dominguez was asked during the question-and-answer portion, pointing to her service as a community advocate.
“My beauty with a purpose is to take English programmes to kids in vulnerable communities because I believe that when they know this language, the opportunities, the doors that can open in their lives, it’s huge, big doors,” she answered.
“Because I was talking to the girls and telling them that, thanks to that tool, we are here,” she continued.
“We have the tool to express our feelings, to express our purpose, and for me, it’s something that I will always take in my heart that I could give those kids something very important, a tool that’s going to work for the rest of their lives,” she said, concluding her response.
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In classroom, on camera
Back in the Dominican Republic, the young educator from Santo Domingo is leading the Voices of Tomorrow initiative, which aims to bring English education to children in vulnerable communities.
The project not only expands Dominican youth’s access to a foreign language, but also hones the country’s future generation to become globally competitive.
Dominguez herself teaches Literature and Social Studies in the said language, inspiring critical thinking and holistic development among young people.
Outside the classroom, she works mainly in front of the camera.
She serves as a correspondent for Univision New York’s Ventana a Quisqueya, covering stories about social issues and culture, particularly within the Dominican entertainment industry.
As a professional model, she has worked with various local and international brands, and currently serves as ambassador of Goya Gives, a community outreach initiative of Goya Foods, aimed at combatting food insecurity, supporting disaster relief and promoting education.
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