'It Feels "Unreal" : Adesha Gustave Crowned Miss International Turks and Caicos 2026

Adesha Gustave says it still feels "unreal" after being crowned Miss International Turks and Caicos 2026 during the national pageant held at Brayton Hall on Venetian Road on Saturday, June 27.

A radiant Adesha Gustave takes time for a camera shortly after winning the 2026 Miss International Turks and Caicos

Gustave emerged victorious from a field of four contestants, succeeding inaugural queen Farrah Grant. In addition to winning the coveted crown, she also captured the sectional awards for Best Gown and Best Swimwear.

Niyecia Thompson, who was named Most Photogenic, finished as first runner-up. Marie Ismerelda was second runner-up, while Beverly Bruno placed third runner-up.

Reflecting on her victory moments after the pageant, Gustave said she entered the competition simply for the experience and never imagined she would walk away as queen.

"It feels unreal. I entered this competition completely amateur," she said. "I just did it to have the experience so that I could say one day that I did it, and I ended up winning. So that's crazy."

While excited about the opportunity to represent the Turks and Caicos Islands on the international stage, Gustave acknowledged the responsibility that comes with wearing the crown.

"It's going to be very nerve-wracking," she admitted. "I'm already a very nervous person, so I can imagine representing the entire country. But it's also going to be a great opportunity to showcase that variety, especially because of my background, and to show people in my community that they are able to step into certain rooms, reach certain heights and be in certain spaces."

Newly crowned Miss International TCI, Adesha Gustave (second right) share a photo moment with her from left: first runner-up Niyecia Thompson, third runner-up Beverly Bruno, Miss International Americas Farrah Grant and second runner-up Marie Ismerelda.

Gustave also said she was humbled by the overwhelming support she received from the audience during the question-and-answer segment, which drew some of the loudest applause of the evening.

"I didn't know they were going to receive it (my response to the question) that well," she said. "I was nervous, but I just treated it like a conversation because I was passionate about what I was saying. It felt good."

National Director Charlene Grant Richards described the event as a milestone in restoring pageantry in the Turks and Caicos Islands after years of limited activity.

"First and foremost, I wanted to create an event that brings the pageantry back into pageants," Grant Richards said. "Here in the Turks and Caicos, I realized that's been lost. People had kind of lost hope or faith in pageantry, so I wanted to go all out within my budget to deliver an event that entertained people and brought communities together."

Grant Richards said the organization also invited reigning international queens from countries represented within the Turks and Caicos diaspora to make the event more inclusive and encourage greater community participation.

She praised the contestants for their dedication throughout the two-month preparation period, which included choreography, interview coaching and personal development sessions.

"We believe in quality over quantity," she said. "The girls were well prepared, respectful, humble and incredibly intelligent. I wanted them to leave feeling they had been part of something positive and had truly been treated like queens."

In the meantime, Grant Richards said Gustave's preparation for the Miss International competition will begin almost immediately.

"The real work starts now," she said. "Miss International is a holistic platform that focuses on cultural exchange, empowerment and community building. Adesha will be working on a project aligned with one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and we have a structured programme in place to prepare her over the coming months."

Grant Richards said the organization hopes Gustave's reign will not only result in a strong showing at Miss International but also inspire more young women across the Turks and Caicos Islands to participate in pageantry and community leadership.