BANGKOK, Thailand — Miss Puerto Rico Vicky Carbonell and Miss Cuba Alyanni Gómez were the only Caribbean delegates to advance to the semi-final rounds of Miss Grand International 2026 in Thailand.
Carbonell, 24, from Toa Baja, secured her place in the semi-finals after winning the Grand Talent competition. She advanced to the top 11, with organisers reportedly expanding the group from 10 contestants because of the high calibre of competition.
Gómez, 25, from Guanajay, progressed to the top 25 and subsequently the top 10 through the judges’ votes.
Both delegates were named fifth runners-up after reaching the top 11 and will join the Miss Grand International winner and her court on travel engagements.
During the top 11 question and answer segment, Gómez was asked: “Which is more important to you, doing what is right or doing what makes others happy?”
“In a world with social media where we follow trends, I would always do what is right because it’s very important to keep our principles and keep to the studies that we learn from our family,” she replied.
She added that humility and representing her country were important to her, saying she wanted to be a leader who could speak up, do what was right and help others.
Carbonell was asked: “What does beauty mean to you?”
“What beauty means to me is the value that you have as a person, your essence, your story. It’s not only the physical. Physical goes away, the beauty goes away, but what’s within is always,” she said.
She added that she tries to remain herself wherever she goes and connect with the people she meets, describing that as inner beauty.
The other Caribbean delegates competing in the pageant were Keitty Familia of the Dominican Republic, Khadesia Walker of Guyana, Estephanie Charles of Haiti and Simone Gardner of Jamaica.
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