Samantha McLeod is the winner of the Miss Jamaica World Top Model, the final fast-track challenge in the 2026 Miss Jamaica World pageant.

McLeod, who wears the sash Miss Island Smiles, had previously finished in the second runner-up position in the Beach Beauty fast-track event.

On Wednesday night she sashayed her way down the runway inside the Magna Motors (Hyundai) Showroom on Oxford Road in New Kingston, and emerged winner from a field of 23 competitors.

Daniella Ferguson, a resident of Admiral Town in west Kingston, who is sponsored by JLM Global Shipping & Logistics Limited, and Matea Mahal Smith (Miss Aveeno) were first and second runners-up.

McLeod received an automatic spot into the Top 12 of the pageant, whose coronation is scheduled for this Sunday, November 1 at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College.

“This is the final fast-track event and I’m so happy to have cemented my spot into the Top 12,” McLeod told the Jamaica Observer.

She explained how she prepared for the fast-track event.

“I’m fortunate to have a long hall in my house and I’ve been using that as my personal runway because I knew I had to bring it for tonight, and I really and truly had to give it my all,” said the 24-year-old dental surgeon.

Ferguson who entered the pageant to motivate young women from the inner city to go for what they wanted to achieve, said her second-place finish was both expected and unexpected.

“I am feeling wonderful and it was expected and unexpected at the same time. I really just feel amazing about it,” she said while noting that with her multiple responsibilities, she was unable to train and prepare for the fast-track event.

“I had a lot to do on the road today, so I didn’t get to prepare. I was overwhelmed when I came here, but modelling is something that I do as a part-time job, and so, I just did my best,” she shared.

Matea Mahal Smith, who won the Fitness Challenge a few weeks ago, and who also finished in second place in both the Beach Beauty and Head-to-Head Challenge, said that her placement in the fast-track events showed that she was consistent.

“I think this whole entire experience is about consistency and showing my various aspects and talent, and I am really happy with the outcome,” she shared.