Antigua’s Kia Kirwan Claims First Runner-Up at Miss OECS 2026

Antigua and Barbuda’s Kia Kirwan put on an impressive showing at the Miss OECS 2026 pageant, capturing first runner-up at Friday night’s competition held in Dominica.

The reigning Carnival Queen dominated several segments of the competition, taking home the Miss Amity award and winning both the “Best in Swimwear” and “Best in Evening Wear” titles. Her strong performance across multiple categories demonstrated why she was selected to represent Antigua and Barbuda on the regional stage.

However, it was Miss Dominica, Tanisha Balson, who ultimately claimed the Miss OECS 2026 crown in a commanding victory. Balson proved nearly unstoppable throughout the competition, sweeping the creative national wear category with both the “Best Creative National Wear” and “Best in Creative National Wear” awards, capturing “Best Performing Talent,” and also winning “Best Evening Wear.”

Miss Anguilla, Ariel Bushay, rounded out the top three as second runner-up while also claiming “Best Promotional Video,” “Best Swimwear,” and “Best Response to Question.”

Kirwan entered the competition with an impressive pageant resume that includes her current reign as Antigua’s Queen of Carnival 2025, a “Best Swimwear” win at the 2025 Miss Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant where she placed in the Top 5, and first runner-up at the 2025 Essence and Mind International Swimsuit Pageant. She also won the Miss Antigua and Barbuda Labour Queen title in 2016.

The pageant brought together representatives from across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the British Virgin Islands, in a celebration of regional talent, culture, and beauty.