Nigeria’s Miss World Dream Ends in Top 12 as Dominican Republic’s Mola Takes 2026 Crown

Nigeria’s representative at the 2026 Miss World pageant, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, has bowed out of the competition after making it to the Top 12, while Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic emerged as the new Miss World.

Global Mirror News gathered that Mola was crowned Miss World 2026 on Saturday September 6, 2026 during the grand finale of the 73rd edition of the International beauty pageant held at the April 2 Square in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Her victory marked the second time the Dominican Republic has produced a Miss World, coming 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez won the coveted crown for the Country in 1982.

Mola succeeded Thailand’s Suchata “Opal” Chuangsri, who won the 2025 Miss World title and crowned her successor at the colourful finale.

Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés Alabern emerged as the first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty was named second runner-up.

Chetty also received the prestigious Beauty with a Purpose award in recognition of her social impact work.

For Nigeria, the journey of Karibi-George came to an end at the Top 12 stage after the Rivers State-born beauty queen successfully progressed through several rounds of the competition.

The Nigerian contestant had earlier secured an automatic place in the Top 40 after winning the Africa Top Model title at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest.

Karibi-George defeated representatives from Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya and South Africa to emerge winner of the continental modelling title, earning her a direct ticket into the Top 40.

She subsequently advanced through the Top 20 and Top 12, before her journey ended in the latter round.

Her Top 12 finish came alongside contestants from Brazil, France, the Philippines, Zambia and Zimbabwe, who also failed to secure places in the final six.

The final six contestants 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 holds a degree in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana and founded Voices of Tomorrow, an initiative focused on providing English-language education to children and young people in vulnerable communities.

Her advocacy for greater access to education featured prominently throughout the competition, particularly during the final stages.

Before winning the Miss World crown, Mola had also won the Americas and Caribbean Top Model title, which earned her an automatic place in the Top 40.

Her victory further reflected the Miss World organisation’s long-running “Beauty with a Purpose” philosophy, which places emphasis on social impact, humanitarian work and community advocacy alongside beauty and modelling.

Despite missing out on the final six, Karibi-George’s performance represented a strong showing for Nigeria on the global stage.

The 26-year-old, who hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, represented Bayelsa State at the national pageant.

She was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 in June at Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, succeeding Joy Mojisola Raimi, who reached the Top 20 at the 2025 Miss World pageant.

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 participated in the Head-to-Head Challenge and Talent Competition, where she performed “Opportunity” by Sia.

She also used her appearances on the international stage to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural identity, with several of her outfits highlighting the Niger Delta and its environmental and cultural heritage.

One of her most notable appearances was the “Amazon of the Mangrove” costume, designed to highlight environmental resilience and women’s strength.

She also appeared in a green-white-green evening gown inspired by Nigeria’s national colours, further drawing attention to the country’s identity and heritage.

The 2026 Miss World pageant featured 111 contestants divided into four continental groups: Africa, the Americas and Caribbean, Europe, and Asia and Oceania.

The contestants progressed through a series of stages, including fast-track challenges and the Top 40, Top 20, Top 12 and Top Six rounds, before the eventual winner and runners-up were selected.

The 2026 edition was the first time Vietnam hosted the Miss World competition and also marked the organisation’s 75th anniversary.

The pageant also featured contestants from several countries making their debut, including Eritrea, French Guiana, the Maldives, Mozambique and Pakistan.

With Mola now crowned Miss World 2026, attention has shifted to the next edition of the global pageant.

The 74th Miss World competition is scheduled to take place in Tanzania in 2027.