Months of careful preparation are coming to a head for Jamaica’s Miss Universe Jamaica Westmoreland 2026 pageant, after organizers publicly introduced the 18 women who will compete for the parish title later this spring. Pageant director Hannah Sheree expressed full confidence in the selected finalists, highlighting the steady progress of pre-coronation planning in an exclusive interview with Observer Online last week.
Against the unexpected backdrop of recovery from Hurricane Melissa, which struck the region late last year, Sheree says recruitment efforts exceeded all expectations. More than 30 young women from diverse communities across Westmoreland stepped forward to attend initial casting calls, a turnout that organizers called far more encouraging than projected after the storm disrupted local life. From that large initial pool of hopefuls, 18 candidates earned a spot as finalists, who made their first public appearance at a formal sashing ceremony held at Savannah-La-Mar’s Hotel Commingle.
The sashing event drew a packed, energetic crowd of supporters who turned out to cheer on the contestants, who already impressed attendees with their poise and presence ahead of the formal coronation. Distinguished guests joined the celebration, including Dwayne Vaz, Member of Parliament for Central Westmoreland, Gabrielle Whyte, 2025 Miss Universe Jamaica West second runner-up, and Maria Marshall, deputy vice president for Miss Jamaica UK.
Sheree emphasized that even this introductory event required months of behind-the-scenes work from the contestants, who are already in active training leading up to the May 23 coronation. “I am so incredibly proud of my girls,” she said, noting that the commitment and enthusiasm the finalists have brought to every rehearsal and preparation session has exceeded the team’s expectations. “Though this was just the sashing show, a lot of effort and passion was put into the preparation and it paid off beautifully.”
The pageant director also extended public gratitude to the full network of local sponsors and partners that have made the 2026 competition possible, starting with Hotel Commingle, the official host venue sponsor for both the sashing ceremony and the upcoming coronation. Additional supporters include Ro Ro Designs, which created promotional materials for the competition, Jamark Luxury Transportation, gift sponsor The Pill Box Pharmacy, Tan Tan Bakery, and official water sponsor Aqua Palace. Sheree also highlighted the critical work of individual contestant sponsors and the core production team—Tiena Brown, Crystal Johnson, and Andre Walker—whose tireless work has kept the pageant on track.
The 2026 Miss Universe Jamaica Westmoreland coronation will take place on May 23 at Hotel Commingle, with a high-stakes reward waiting for the winner: the champion will earn an automatic berth in the national Miss Universe Jamaica pageant, where they will go on to compete for the chance to represent Jamaica on the global Miss Universe stage.
The 18 official finalists for the 2026 Miss Universe Jamaica Westmoreland title are: Annalicia Russell, Shamara Hurst, Cameron Willis, Tiffany Maragh, Ashley Gardner, Thrisianna Coke, Nicolette Gayle, Gabriele Davidson, Kelly Ann Barrett, Roushanda Levy, Nia Paige Matthews, Gayon Gayle, Brittany Solomon, Christine Mulai, Alexsia Brady, Mykhal Anglin, Regina McLean, and Shauna Lee Ervin.