The AC Hotel in Kingston was buzzing last Sunday as several beauty contest hopefuls came out in their numbers, hoping to secure a spot in the national Miss Universe Jamaica beauty and wellness pageant.

Thirteen parish queens secured their automatic spots, so it was up to the panel of judges to interview the large number of young ladies and to determine if they would make it among this year’s delegates.

At the end of the session, which ran for almost three hours, 23 ladies were selected and joined the 13 parish queens to compete for the 2026 Miss Universe Jamaica crown.

Tianna McDaniel, a medical doctor by profession who turned heads during her appearance, was among those selected. She told Observer Online that she is looking forward to the competition.

“This is my first time trying out for a beauty pageant. I was approached and encouraged to enter, so I am looking forward to the journey and how much I can learn and develop as a woman,” said McDaniel.

Media practitioner Kwela Cole, who was a finalist in the Miss Universe Jamaica East pageant two years ago, took a year off and decided to come back strong this time around.

She too has made it among the finalists.

“I am feeling great, and this is something that I have prepared for over the past year. So I am definitely ready for whatever is in store,” said Cole, who works at ZIP FM.

Lisa Escalona, another finalist who is half Jamaican and half Cuban (she was born in Jamaica), was lost for words when her name was announced as having gone through to the finals.
“Wow, I don’t know what to say, but I am happy and I am going to do my best,” she said.

The 36 finalists will now undergo preparation which will include workshops, voice and speech, interview techniques, courtesy calls, and rehearsals for the grand coronation which is scheduled for August 23 at the AC Hotel.

The finalists are:

Tara-Gaye Evans

Aaliyah Innis

Daja-Nae McIntosh

Mickalia Suckie

Taniquia Francis

Suzan Dowdie

Marci-Lee Smith

Renieka Brown

Denaa Hydol

Hannah Collings-Myers

Regina McLean

Annalicia Russell

Celene Hall

Alyssa Francis

Alanda Newman

Roushanda Levy

Alexsia Brady

Thrisianna Coke

Claire Schwapp

Trudy-Ann Peart

Kadejah Anderson

Kwela Cole

Andrea Hill

Lisa Escalona

Racquel Chung

Tianna McDaniel

Antonni James

Jody Hilton

Rajeani Reid

Asheka Thomas

Sidayne Ferguson

Marsha Roberts

Shanika Scott

Channon Smith

Macaeda Sutherland

Latavia Mellish