The Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola Dominguez was crowned Miss World 2026, according to Sud Ouest. The win was described as a surprise by the French outlet, which reported the result on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
France’s representative, Indira Ampiot, finished in 12th place, a result that Sud Ouest characterized as a disappointment for her campaign. Ampiot did make the top 12, as noted by 20minutes.fr, but failed to advance further in the competition.
Following the outcome, Ampiot faced criticism on social media, according to Le Parisien. The backlash drew a sharp response from Sylvie Tellier, a former Miss France director, who defended Ampiot and expressed frustration with the online attacks. Closermag.fr quoted Tellier calling the treatment of Ampiot “a shame.”
Ampiot herself responded to her detractors in a statement covered by Paris Match. She said she would not allow anyone to make her doubt herself, pushing back firmly against the criticism after her defeat.
The result marks a notable shift in the pageant’s recent history, with the Dominican Republic taking the title ahead of several European contenders. The exact margin of the vote or the full ranking order beyond the top 12 was not detailed in the available reporting.
For observers of international pageants, the focus now shifts to how Ampiot’s team and Tellier’s comments shape the narrative around the French delegation’s performance. Whether the online criticism continues or fades will likely determine how long this controversy stays in the spotlight.
