Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Nikita Porwal Reflects After Missing Miss World Crown
Nikita Porwal represented India at the 2026 Miss World pageant in Vietnam.
She did not win the crown and was eliminated in the Top 40.
Joheirry Mola Dominguez from the Dominican Republic won the competition.
After returning home, Nikita wrote that she needed time to understand everything she had experienced.
She thanked the people who supported her, including fans she had never met.
She said the pageant gave her new friends, memories and confidence.
Nikita also worked on a project supporting tribal communities with education, healthcare and clean water.
She shared Indian culture by performing as Goddess Meenakshi during a special pageant segment.
She said some victories remain in the heart even when they do not become a crown.
Nikita Porwal was eliminated in the Top 40 at Miss World 2026 and did not reach the Top 20.
Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic won, followed by Spain’s Elisabeth Reynés and Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty.
Porwal said she needed time to process the support, memories and personal growth from the competition.
Her Beauty With a Purpose initiative, Project MAATI, focused on tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
She represented Indian culture during the Dances of the World segment by portraying Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai.
- Who
- Nikita Porwal, India’s representative at Miss World 2026; Joheirry Mola Dominguez won the title.
- What
- Porwal missed the Miss World crown after being eliminated in the Top 40 and later shared an emotional note.
- When
- After the 2026 pageant and several days of reflection.
- Where
- The pageant was held in Vietnam; Porwal is from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Porwal said she wanted the crown but returned with personal growth, friendships, memories and support from fans.
- Winner
- Joheirry Mola Dominguez of the Dominican Republic
- Runner-ups
- Elisabeth Reynés of Spain was first runner-up; Taanusiya Chetty of Malaysia was second runner-up.
- Porwal’s result
- Eliminated in the Top 40 and did not advance to the Top 20
- Pageant edition
- The 75th-anniversary edition of Miss World, held in Vietnam
- Social-impact initiative
- Project MAATI focused on education, healthcare, nutrition, hygiene, clean water and livelihoods for tribal communities.
- Cultural presentation
- Porwal portrayed Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai during the Dances of the World segment.
- Earlier career
- She worked as a television anchor, actor and theatre performer, appearing in more than 60 plays.