Jamaica’s first-ever representative to the international Mister Cosmopolitan pageant, Gladstone Johnson, finished in the Top 12 of the competition and walked away with two sectional awards.

The 32-year-old Clarendon resident, who works as a science educator at a secondary school, described his experience at the pageant, which concluded on September 12 in Nha Trang, Vietnam, as amazing.

“⁠It was a warm yet fulfilling feeling to be recognised as one of the top delegates this year.  It was an amazing experience. The contrast in culture provided a great opportunity to appreciate my own culture but also to enjoy the differences between Jamaica and Vietnam,” Johnson told Observer Online on Saturday.

“The experience taught me that a having a kind compassionate heart and being able to respect others regardless of their beliefs are two of the most valuable qualities to have as we deal with others.”

Johnson, a past student at the Denbigh High school, who later studied at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) was the recipient of the Mr Congeniality and Best in Interview sectional awards.

“These awards show that I not only have what it takes to compete internationally but also that I have the qualities which separate me from all the other delegates that were present in the 2026 cohort. There were to have been 38 counties participating in the competition but due to unfortunate circumstances, the total number of delegates that arrives and competed in Vietnam was 20,” said Johnson.

Gladstone Johnson of Jamaica

Earlier this year, Johnson won the Mr Jamaica King Imperial competition and was selected to represent Jamaica at the Mister Cosmopolitan competition.

John Eriq Bonifacio of The Philippines is the new Mister Cosmopolitan.

“Pageantry has been passion of mine but competing this year meant another chance to show Jamaica I had what it took to carry the crown. The local pageant allowed me to appreciate that activity schedules are subject to sudden change and delegates must adjust, but more importantly, respecting the time of others, being punctual and being able to execute the requirements when in front of the camera as well as articulating my thoughts in public spaces,” Johnson shared.

Mister Cosmopolitan first place title went to John Eriq Bonifacio of The Philippines, while South Africa’s Nkosikhono Roro was named first runner-up. Tong Sanchai of Thailand, Enis Cetinaya of Türkiye and Spain’s Fran Caceres finished in third, fourth and fifth places respectively.

This was the fourth staging of the Mister Cosmopolitan competition.