Crowned Amidst Controversy
Caleigh-Rose West Named Miss Universe Belize 2026
The Miss Universe Belize 2026 pageant, held on Saturday, August 15th at the Mahogany Bay Resort in San Pedro, concluded with Caleigh-Rose West capturing the national title. Succeeding outgoing queen Isabella Zabaneh, West emerged victorious from a competitive field of eight delegates, with Samantha Jones named first runner-up and Rena Thompson finishing as second runner-up.
However, what was meant to be a glittering celebration of Belizean heritage and confidence quickly transformed into a challenging night for the newly appointed organizers. Organized in just six weeks under the franchise’s new ownership—El Salvador-based Americas Events—the production faced a series of highly publicized missteps that overshadowed the crowning moment.
The broadcast was plagued by confusion during the finalist announcements. Viewers and delegates were left bewildered when a "Top Six" was announced instead of the expected Top Five. The Miss Universe Belize Organization later clarified in an official statement that this was a logistical error caused by individuals who were not members of the jury tallying scores using pencils instead of ink pens. Upon recalculation, all six judges confirmed that Caleigh-Rose West held the highest overall score, reaffirming the legitimacy of her victory.
Another Controversy
Further public backlash erupted during the cultural presentation when a digital backdrop displayed Tikal—an iconic Maya archaeological site located in neighboring Guatemala—rather than a Belizean landmark. The organization expressed surprise at this, stating that all artwork and graphic elements were selected by the local Belizean production team entrusted with the event's setup.
In response to the frustrations from fans regarding the subscription-based broadcast, the organization has committed to making next year's Grand Final completely free and accessible across multiple platforms. The organization also emphasized that delegates did not pay entry fees and were provided with their opening, swimsuit, and evening gown wardrobes at no cost.
Despite the production turbulence, National Director Destiny Wagner praised the delegates and the community for pulling the event together in record time. As the dust settles, the focus now shifts to Caleigh-Rose West. With just over three months until the international competition in Puerto Rico, the new titleholder will need the united support of her country as she embarks on her journey to the Miss Universe stage.