Despite winning five sectional prizes, the newly crowned Miss Universe Jamaica 2026 titleholder, Portland native Celene Hall said she had no idea that she would have emerged the winner.

Hall competed with 32 other ladies for the coveted title and to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe finals in Puerto Rico in November.

he coronation show took place on Sunday night inside a jam-packed ballroom at AC Hotel Kingston.

“I know I received a lot of sectional awards, but honestly, it wasn’t until the crown was placed on my head that I really knew that I was Miss Universe Jamaica 2026,” Hall told the
Jamaica Observer shortly after she was crowned.

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

This marked the start of a new journey and the end of countless days and nights of practice, rehearsals, and training.

Hall first entered the Miss Universe Jamaica Portland pageant, which she won a few months ago.

According to Parish Director Shanique Rogers, Hall was transformed during the process.

“From the beginning, she listened, she understood what the crown represented, and, most importantly, she was willing to learn… She is not the same woman who entered the competition in Portland. The Miss Universe Jamaica Portland platform challenged her, developed her, and helped shape her into the queen she is today,” Rogers, a former Miss Universe Jamaica finalist, told the Observer.

She added: “Seeing Celene win makes me incredibly proud, because I know the amount of hard work, dedication, and behind-the-scenes effort that went into preparing her for this moment. To see that hard work pay off is truly rewarding.”

Hall concurred that the pageant challenged her.

“I knew the space would challenge me more to grow into the absolute best version of myself, and that is the reason why I entered in the first place,” she shared.

From Passley Gardens in Port Antonio, she attended Titchfield High School.

Her beaming parents, three sisters and two brothers were on hand to witness her success.

“She started modeling from primary school and she just kept going, and we have been supportive of her,” said her mother, Sonia Hall.

Father Victor said, “Celene has been a queen from ever since. I told her mother from the beginning that Celene had what it takes.”

Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 Dr Gabrielle Henry (right) adjusts the sash of newly announced Miss Universe Jamaica 2026 Celene Hall.

The coronation show started more than an hour late, and once it got going there was no turning back. The 33 contestants opened the show but they were quickly reduced to a top 20.

The ladies then moved into swimwear before the top 14 were announced.

The evening gown competition resulted in the final six spots being filled.

After being interviewed, the final three were revealed to be Kadejah Anderson, Celene Hall, and Tianna McDaniel.

Hall won the Essence of Style Award, Best in Swimwear, Best in Evening Gown, Most Aware, and the Altruism Award.

Tianna McDaniel was adjudged Most Photogenic; Andrea Hill – Most Congenial; Marcie Lee Smith – Best Personality; Alanda Newman – Runway Star Award; and Marsha Roberts, Alanda Newman and Channon Smith made a three-way tie for Spirit of the Pageant award.

At the end of the night second runner-up was determined to be Anderson, while McDaniel, a medical practitioner, finished in the first runner-up position, as Hall snagged first place.