Miss World 2026 Joheirry Mola: "I Won't Quit Teaching"

Joheirry Mola Dominguez, crowned Miss World 2026, has expressed her commitment to her teaching career, stating that her students are "the whole world" to her. She plans to find a substitute to support them during her reign as Miss World. Mola Dominguez arrived in Ho Chi Minh City with two runners-up three days after the Miss World 73rd edition concluded in Khanh Hoa. During the interview, she shared her feelings about winning the title and her journey in the competition. "When I heard 'Dominican Republic' announced, I thought, 'Oh my God.' As you saw in the broadcast, I exclaimed, 'It can't be.' But it was true, I had won. I am incredibly happy and feel blessed. Thank you to the Miss World organization for believing in me," she said. Three days post-competition, she remains filled with gratitude. "This is the most wonderful thing in my life so far. The opportunity to carry this title and wear the crown is a feeling I cannot put into words," she added. Regarding the crown's significance, Mola Dominguez emphasized the mission behind it: "Beauty With a Purpose." She believes true beauty lies in living with purpose and using one's influence to create positive change. She wishes to use her title well, making the children involved in her "Voices of Tomorrow" community project proud, and hopes to reach more children globally. On maintaining her teaching role back home, she explained that the new academic year in the Dominican Republic began in late August. Although she couldn't be present every day, she always kept close track of her students' progress. "Even though I couldn't be there in person, I always wanted them to feel that their teacher was by their side. My heart is with them always," she stated. During her Miss World tenure, she will strive to find someone to assist and prepare everything so her students have all they need, and they can call her anytime. "Teaching has taught me patience, love, and so much more over the years. My students are everything, they mean the whole world to me. I am here today because of them – the great motivation in my life," she shared. Upon arriving in Vietnam, Mola Dominguez's mindset was to "live every moment to the fullest" as it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. She aimed to make her country, the Dominican Republic, proud. She put her best effort forward each day, as did the other 110 contestants facing Miss World's challenges. She cherishes her month in Vietnam, especially the friendships made. "The practice sessions with the girls were full of laughter. We spent hours getting to know each other. Those memories will last forever," she recalled. What she liked most about Vietnam was its "wonderful people." "You make me feel like I'm at home. In every encounter, I feel that affection through genuine smiles or open arms. Vietnam holds a very large part of my heart. And the people of the Dominican Republic also love Vietnam," she said. She enjoyed Vietnamese cuisine, particularly pho. As for destinations, she found every place she visited, from Ha Long Bay to Nha Trang, to be interesting. "I just want to say that your country and your people are both wonderful and beautiful. So, everyone, please visit Vietnam right away!" Wearing the ao dai during pageant activities made her feel "truly beautiful," recognizing it as a cultural symbol of the host country. She took many photos and plans to bring an ao dai back home, which her students will also want to try on. Joheirry Mola Dominguez, 24, stands at 1.75m. Born in the US to Dominican parents, she has a bright smile and healthy skin. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Iberoamericana University and works as a model, teacher, and reporter. Her project, "Voices of Tomorrow," aims to create English learning opportunities for children and teenagers in disadvantaged communities.