In the second round of the competition held on 25/8, 23 contestants who had previously passed the preliminary selection performed their chosen talents to secure a spot in the top 40. Grace Richardson (center) from England, 20, emerged victorious.

England's Grace Richardson, 20, won the talent competition, securing her place in the top 40 of Miss World 2026. During the second round of the talent segment on 25/8, Richardson performed "Over the Rainbow," captivating the audience with her powerful voice. The 1,8 m tall contestant, a professional singer in her home country, received a standing ovation. Beyond her singing career, Richardson also works as a barista and a wedding event planner.

"This might be the best performance of my career to date," Richardson stated after her act. "The other 23 contestants were also incredible."

Among the three outstanding performances was Annaëlle Ibo from Guadeloupe, who sang "La Vie en Rose." The 27-year-old, 1,8 m tall contestant works as a hotel receptionist, model, and singer. She also enjoys piano, dancing, and Muay Thai.

Asia Rose Simpso, 18, from the Philippines, performed a dance titled "Succor" (Shelter), incorporating acrobatic moves. This performance earned her a spot in the top 3. "I am proud to present my original work, aiming to spread a message of hope and healing," she shared on her personal page.

Bao Ngoc played the stone zither while singing and rapping on stage. Though she did not make it into the top 3, she expressed happiness for the opportunity to introduce a traditional instrument to an international audience.

Other notable performances included Ignacia Fernandez from Chile, 27, who showcased her strong vocals. A model and singer from Santiago, Fernandez earned the Miss World Chile 2025 crown with her sharp looks and bright smile. Contestants from Colombia, Nepal, and Paraguay demonstrated their musical prowess, playing the drums, flute, and violin, respectively.

The contestant from Bosnia & Herzegovina (left) energized the stage with her dance moves, while Miss Denmark performed ballet.

The contestant from Zambia (left) performed a traditional dance in colorful attire, while Prathibha Liyanaarachchi of Sri Lanka showcased a graceful dance requiring flexibility.

Currently, 111 contestants are participating in the final stages of the competition in Khanh Hoa, leading up to the grand finale on the evening of 5/9. Judges have already selected five contestants for the top 40 through victories in preliminary rounds, including sports, talent, and the Head to Head Challenge.

The Miss World 2026 competition commenced on 8/8 and will conclude on 5/9, spanning three provinces: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Khanh Hoa. The 111 contestants participated in the opening ceremony on 12/8, held in a square in Ha Long City, where they wore traditional ao dai. In Do Son, contestants engaged in mangrove planting, experienced crabbing and fishing, and kayaked. Upon arriving in Nha Trang City, they took part in a street parade, a charity run to support breast cancer patients, and explored traditional craft villages and local cuisine.

First organized in 1951, Miss World is one of the two largest and longest-running beauty pageants globally, alongside Miss Universe. The platform celebrates global unity by seeking out women who possess beauty, education, and meaningful community projects. After 72 seasons, this marks the first time the competition has been held in Vietnam, organized by Sen Vang company in collaboration with the Miss World Organization.

Tan Cao

Photos, video: Organizing Committee