Akéma Carty is Miss Anguilla 2026.
Carty took the coveted title on 5 August 2026, as the second night of the Miss Anguilla 2026 pageant formed part of the island’s 2026 Summer Festival activities. Kishante Connor-Carty was named first runner-up, while Amelia Olivacce placed second runner-up. Sharianne Francis and Ashley Derich also competed in the five-contestant field.
Following the opening night on 27 July 2026, Night 2, held under the theme “The Coronation”, brought the competition to its deciding stages, with talent, evening wear and interview/Q&A testing the contestants’ creativity, presentation and ability to think on their feet.
The talent segment gave each contestant a chance to do more than simply perform. Music, dance, acting, acrobatics and interpretive performance were used to tell personal stories and explore subjects ranging from self-acceptance and resilience to family relationships and perseverance.
Carty’s presentation centred on self-acceptance, confidence and authenticity. Her performance reflected on the pressure to be perfect and to live according to other people’s expectations, gradually moving towards the freedom of embracing who she is.
Francis presented “Reflection”, a performance centred on self-discovery and identity. Olivacce’s “To Believe Is to Be Resilient” focused on perseverance through doubt and setbacks, while Derich used acrobatics and interpretive movement to portray the experience of confronting fear and learning to “fly” despite self-doubt and pressure. Connor-Carty took a more dramatic approach, using dance and acting to portray a child caught between parents in conflict.
The evening wear segment brought a distinctly Anguillian flavour to the competition, with the contestants using their gowns to represent everything from resilience and heritage to the island’s marine environment.
Carty appeared in a Maleficent-inspired gown featuring black wings and emerald tones. The design represented resilience, strength and transformation, with her presentation focusing on turning past experiences into strength and creating a legacy of her own.
Francis brought the coral reef to the stage, with her gown drawing inspiration from Anguilla’s underwater environment. Its coral-inspired details and shades of turquoise, aqua, purple and silver, accented with crystals and rhinestones, captured the colour and beauty of the reefs that surround the island.
Olivacce’s “Beauty from Ashes” represented hope, renewal and the strength that can emerge from difficult experiences. Derich’s “Limitless Legacy” paid tribute to the women who previously held the Miss Anguilla title, while Connor-Carty’s “The Heart of the Anguillian Song” drew inspiration from Anguilla’s golden light and generations of Anguillians who have contributed to the island’s story.
The interview/Q&A segment carried 80 points. Contestants had approximately two minutes and 30 seconds to answer their questions, with a 30-second grace period. Responses were assessed for content and relevance, fluency and spontaneity, mastery of language, conviction and confidence, supporting information and composure.
The questions covered issues particularly relevant to Anguilla, including education and mental health, cultural preservation, tourism, climate resilience and economic diversification.
Carty was asked what she would change about the education system to better prepare young people for the future. She advocated for stronger mental health support for students throughout the school year, arguing that young people may be dealing with bullying, anxiety, academic pressure, difficulties at home or depression even when their struggles are not immediately visible.
Francis addressed the importance of preserving Anguillian culture in the face of globalisation and technological advancement, while Olivacce connected cultural preservation to tourism and the importance of maintaining an experience that is distinctly Anguillian.
Derich argued that Anguilla should strengthen rather than reduce its climate-resilience efforts, pointing to the need to protect coral reefs, beaches and natural resources. Connor-Carty made the case for economic diversification beyond tourism, highlighting the creative economy, agriculture and the green economy.
The coronation also brought an end to Jasmin Ruan’s reign as Miss Anguilla. During her year of service, she took part in community, cultural and environmental initiatives, including school visits, coastal clean-ups, cultural programmes and events such as the Anguilla Community College graduation and the Anguilla National Cultural Awards.
But by the end of the evening, the spotlight belonged to Carty. Across both nights, she made her case and earned the title of Miss Anguilla 2026–2027.
It was a strong field, with Sharianne Francis, Amelia Olivacce, Ashley Derich and Kishante Connor-Carty each bringing their own talent, poise and perspective to the competition. Carty now carries the Miss Anguilla 2026–2027 title, but all five contestants demonstrated the confidence, intelligence and character worthy of a queen.
By Janissa Fleming
