Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic was crowned the 73rd Miss World at the pageant’s 75th anniversary final in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on September 5, with Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés named first runner-up and Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty second runner-up.

The 24-year-old educator, journalist and community advocate received the crown from Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, the 72nd Miss World, during the seaside final at April 2 Square.

Mola’s victory marks the Dominican Republic’s second Miss World crown, 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez became the first woman from the country to win the title in 1982.

The final was held on one of the largest stages created for Miss World. Built beside the sea at the heart of Nha Trang, the open-air structure stretched more than 110 metres across April 2 Square and featured LED screens, lighting, sound and laser technology.

Thousands of spectators gathered around the square, with the illuminated coastline forming the backdrop for the international broadcast.

The ceremony was hosted by reigning Mr World Danny Mejía, the 66th Miss World Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico and Miss World Vietnam 2019 Hoa hậu Thế.

The final brought an end to a four-week festival that began in northern Vietnam before moving to Nha Trang. It also marked the first time Vietnam had hosted Miss World.

The Top 40 quarterfinalists were selected through the Miss World challenge events, the People’s Choice vote and judges’ evaluations throughout the festival. Ten contestants advanced from each continental region.

The Americas and Caribbean were represented by Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US.

Africa’s representatives were Eritrea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Asia and Oceania group included Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Philippines, Türkiye and Vietnam.

Europe was represented by Belgium, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Ukraine and Wales.

French Guiana, Eritrea, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal and Cambodia reached the stage for the first time.

The group also included the continental winners of Beauty With a Purpose, Multimedia, Head-to-Head, Top Model and People’s Choice, alongside the winners of the Sports and Talent challenges and contestants selected by the judging panel.

Beauty With a Purpose remained central to the competition. Of 111 projects presented by the national ambassadors, 24 reached the continental finals.

Belize, Zimbabwe, Malaysia and Spain were recognised as the continental winners, with Zimbabwe and Malaysia advancing directly to the Top 20.

Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty was ultimately named the overall Beauty With a Purpose winner, securing a place in the Top 6 before finishing as second runner-up.

Three further contestants advanced directly to the Top 20 as overall challenge winners. Asia Rose Simpson of the Philippines won the Head-to-Head Challenge, Dr Adah Mushibi of Zambia won the Multimedia Award, and Indira Ampiot of France won the Top Model Challenge.

Dr Mushibi became the overall Multimedia Award winner after the four continental winners created two-minute videos following interviews with seven Miss World winners as part of a special final challenge celebrating the pageant’s 75-year history.

The remaining 15 places were awarded by the judges. The competition then moved to the Top 12.

Malaysia and Zimbabwe retained their positions as the leading Beauty With a Purpose representatives, while Brazil, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Zambia, France and Spain were selected by the judges.

Eritrea and Nigeria completed the Top 12 after receiving the highest totals in the live People’s Choice vote.

The finalists were asked questions designed to further reveal their values, experiences and understanding of the responsibilities associated with the Miss World title.

The six finalists were South Africa’s Romanda Hombir for Africa, Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola for the Americas and Caribbean, Vietnam’s Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc for Asia and Oceania, Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés for Europe, Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty as the Beauty With a Purpose representative, and Eritrea’s Snit Tewoldemedhin as the People’s Choice finalist.

The finalists were given one final opportunity to discuss their purpose and the impact they hoped to create as Miss World.

Mola was asked about the Beauty With a Purpose work she had supported in the Dominican Republic and how she would develop it if crowned.

Drawing on her experience as an educator, she spoke about bringing English-language education to children and young people in vulnerable communities. She described language as a lifelong tool that could help children express themselves while opening doors to education and opportunity.

Her response reflected the work she has developed through Voices of Tomorrow, the initiative she founded and leads in the Dominican Republic.

Mola, also known as Ms Mola, is a teacher and graduate in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana. She works as an educator, communicator and community advocate, teaching Literature and Social Studies in English.

As founder and president of Voices of Tomorrow, she works to expand access to English education for children and young people in vulnerable communities, encouraging critical thinking, self-expression and personal development.

Her Miss World journey included winning the Top Model title for the Americas and Caribbean, securing her place in the Top 40.

She subsequently advanced from the Top 20 to the Top 12, Top 6 and, ultimately, the Miss World crown.

As her name was announced by Julia Morley CBE, an emotional Mola was embraced by her fellow finalists before Opal Suchata placed the Miss World crown on her head.

Surrounded by the 111 national ambassadors with whom she had shared the journey across Vietnam, Mola began her reign as the 73rd Miss World.

The final also marked the conclusion of Opal Suchata Chuangsri’s reign.

Crowned in Hyderabad, India, in May 2025, Opal became the first woman from Thailand to win Miss World. During her reign, she used her platform to promote breast cancer awareness and prevention, a cause inspired by her own health experience as a teenager.

Her year-long tenure was marked by a commitment to Beauty With a Purpose before she crowned her successor at the final.

The four-week festival was co-produced by MWO and Seng Van and began on August 9 before travelling through several Vietnamese destinations.

The 111 national ambassadors took part in Beauty With a Purpose presentations, interviews, challenge events, fashion shows, cultural programmes, charitable activities and visits showcasing Vietnam’s landscapes, traditions and hospitality.

One of the festival’s highlights was Dances of the World: Hello Vietnam, Hello World, held at April 2 Square on September 2 as Vietnam marked the 81st anniversary of its independence.

Wearing national costumes and performing dances from their home countries, all 111 contestants turned the square into a celebration of global culture, identity and friendship before an audience of thousands.

The festival concluded with Mola taking the Miss World crown and becoming the Dominican Republic’s second titleholder.

The 75th anniversary celebration also brought seven Miss World titleholders together on stage: Opal Suchata Chuangsri, Krystyna Pyszková, Karolina Bielawska, Vanessa Ponce de León, Stephanie Del Valle, Linda Pétursdóttir and Wilnelia Merced Forsyth.

A special tribute celebrated Miss World’s 75-year history, Julia Morley CBE and Beauty With a Purpose, with Vietnamese children performing the Miss World theme song, “One World, One Dream”.

Mola now begins her reign as the 73rd Miss World, carrying the platform of Voices of Tomorrow to an international audience.