Overwhelming joy and untold stories about the new Miss Grand International 2026

Home Thời sự Culture – Society Jihan Dimack brought the Miss Grand International 2026 crown back to Tanzania. President Samia congratulated Miss Grand International 2026, the first African beauty queen to win the title. The 30-year-old beauty of Tanzanian and Lebanese descent stood out among the contestants and was crowned Miss Grand International 2026. Jihan Dimack, representing Tanzania, won Miss Grand International 2026. The moment her name was announced, Jihan was overcome with emotion and burst into tears. Back home, many people gathered in public places to watch the final night. This was Tanzania's first time, and also the first time an African beauty queen, won the Miss Grand crown. The East African nation's previous best achievement was reaching the Top 10 in 2025. In addition to the crown, Tanzania also won two other awards. Jihan won Miss Popular Vote (the contestant with the most votes from the audience), thus securing a wildcard entry into the semi-finals. The Miss Grand Tanzania organization received the Golden Grand Award – for the best national copyright holder, while the Philippines and Japan received the Silver Grand Award. In the Country's Power of the Year competition, Jihan finished second behind Ecuador. President Samia: The pride of the nation. According to Global Publishers , immediately after the final night, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan sent her congratulations, affectionately calling Jihan her daughter. "Sincere congratulations, Jihan Dimack, for raising the Tanzanian flag and winning the Miss Grand International 2026 crown. This victory is a source of pride for our nation," she wrote. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan (left). Photo: globalpublishers The female president emphasized that Jihan's success is proof that Tanzanians can achieve great things when united and cooperative. According to her, this is also a source of inspiration for young people, especially girls, to be confident, dare to challenge themselves, and steadfastly pursue their dreams and talents. Tanzanian press: This time, the crown belongs to Africa. On the very night of the final, The Citizen published a series of articles, including news of the coronation, a profile of the new Miss Grand Tanzania, and the news that Miss Grand Tanzania received the Golden Grand Award. The newspaper concluded its main article with the statement: "This time, the crown belongs to Africa. Tanzania makes history." Jihan's first day after being crowned. On the morning of October 11th, Daily News headlined "Jihan Brings Glory Home," describing Tanzania as erupting with pride. Jihan's name continued to be a sensation as she rightfully represented the Tanzanian flag all the way to the top. The newspaper also emphasized the message of peace, unity, tolerance, and respect for diversity that she pursued throughout Miss Grand International 2026. Global Publishers concluded the article with congratulations to Jihan and Tanzania. The whole nation is united before the crucial moment. Joy erupted after weeks of the entire Tanzanian community's concerted effort for their representative. The Daily News described the campaign in support of Jihan as having transcended the boundaries of a typical beauty pageant campaign, involving government officials, beauty queens, artists, fashion personalities, and social media users. According to the newspaper, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, took to Instagram to urge people to continue voting, considering it a matter of national pride. Bongo Flava star Diamond Platnumz used her social media influence to spread the call. Singer Nandy posted on Instagram to cheer on the Tanzanian girl to bring the crown home, while Miss Universe Tanzania Queen Elizabeth set aside boundaries between competition systems to call for unity behind Jihan. The new Miss Universe in traditional attire. The national costume segment was a major highlight. Daily News described Jihan's outfit as featuring a headdress inspired by Mount Kilimanjaro, incorporating tanzanite stone and imagery of lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes. Immediately after her performance, she temporarily led the national costume voting with 43%. The 12-year journey of the new Miss Universe. Jihan is not a new face. She was the second runner-up in Miss Tanzania 2014, crowned Miss Universe Tanzania 2016, and competed in Miss Universe in the Philippines in January 2017. Nearly 10 years later, she returned, representing the Mwanza region, and was crowned Miss Grand Tanzania on August 8, 2026. Jihan started modeling at the age of 17 and has lived in Tanzania, Lebanon, and Mozambique. Currently, she works in China in modeling, sales, and livestreaming sales. In the Top 5 question about the qualities of an empowered woman, she chose a kind heart and took her mother as a role model – someone who always put others before herself. Earlier, in the question about inequality, she argued that love is the most powerful weapon to build a more equal society. Jihan Dimack's victory concludes Miss Grand International 2026, a competition that had to be moved from India to Thailand in September. During her reign as Miss Grand International 2026, the Tanzanian beauty will support MGI 2026 and the Miss Grand organization's campaigns for peace, against war and violence. Minh Phi Photos and videos : MGI