Portland native Celene Hall was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica on Sunday at the coronation show inside the ballroom of the AC Hotel in New Kingston.

Medical doctor Tianna McDaniel was named first runner-up and Kadejah Anderson took third place.

Racquel Chung, medical doctor Rajeani Reid and Alexia Brady were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

The 25-year-old Hall, who attended Titchfield High School, works as an executive manager at ASAP Express Limited in Port Antonio.  She was crowned Miss Universe Jamaica Portland a few months ago and is the only parish winner to make it into the final six.

“I don’t believe I can find a word to describe how I am feeling right now,” she told Observer Online shortly after the coronation show ended.

“I am grateful, thankful and that’s the biggest feeling that fills my heart the most right now. The journey was quite hectic but it was well worth it. I never underestimate the power of this platform.”

Miss Universe Jamaica 2026 Celene Hall is flanked by first runner-up Dr Tianna McDaniel (right) and second runner-up Kadejah Anderson (left)

Her parents, Sonia and Victor Hall, were among a crowd of supporters who journeyed from Portland.  The supporters knocked on pans and pot covers in appreciation each time that she made an appearance.

“From she was a young child, Celene has been showing signs of modeling and entering competitions. She was named Miss Boundbrook Primary while she was attending the school,” Sonia Hall shared.

Her father said the family’s support for Celene’s pursuits began while she attended primary school.

“We have always been supporting her, we’re a family and we live together and celebrate together. She can sing and she can draw. I remember when she was three years old she was walking around the house modeling in her brother’s shoes and tonight all of her three sisters and two brothers are here supporting her,” said Victor Hall.

Celene won five sectional prizes including Essence of Style Award, Best in Swimwear, Best in Evening Gown, Most Aware and the Altruism Award.

Other sectional prize winners were:

Andrea Hill – Most Congenial

Tianna McDaniel – Most Photogenic

Marcie Lee Smith – Best Personality

Alanda Newman – Runway Star Award

A three-way tie for Spirit of the Pageant award – Marsha Roberts, Alanda Newman and Channon Smith