Chile arrives at the 75th Miss Universe with one of the most talked-about and multi-dimensional delegates of the entire cycle. Representing the country in San Juan, Puerto Rico is Dominga López – a 24-year-old journalist, model, and actress from Viña del Mar whose road to the crown was anything but conventional.
Dominga López was crowned Miss Universe Chile 2026, succeeding outgoing titleholder Inna Moll, after defeating finalists Catalina Vallejos of Pucón and Scarlette Hermosilla of Lo Barnechea. She holds a degree in Journalism and Social Communication from Universidad del Desarrollo, graduating in 2023, and has built a career spanning modeling, acting, and broadcasting.
Her path to public recognition took an unexpected turn before pageantry entered the picture – Dominga gained significant social media attention for portraying the character known as the “Black Angel” in a music video for Chilean urban artist Kidd Voodoo, a role that introduced her to a wider audience ahead of her national pageant run.
What ultimately set her apart in the competition wasn’t just her presence, but her composure under pressure. During the final round, Dominga was asked a pointed question about reproductive rights and the decision to become a mother — and her measured, empathetic answer became the defining moment of the night. She approached the topic with calm, coherence, and clarity, addressing it from a place of empathy while respecting the personal circumstances of every woman. Her answer, and the poise with which she delivered it, drew widespread praise across Chilean media and social platforms, with many pointing to her communication skills as a genuine advantage heading into the demanding interview format of the international competition.
Upon being crowned, she was direct about her ambition: “Vamos a hacer lo mejor para traer esa segunda corona al país, que ya es hora de que llegue” – we’re going to do our best to bring that second crown to the country, it’s about time it arrived. Chile has won Miss Universe only once, and Dominga has made it clear that ending that near six-decade wait is her explicit goal in Puerto Rico.
Beyond the crown, her platform is centered on empowering young women who have faced insecurity or criticism over their personalities – using her own journey of reinvention and authenticity as the foundation of her message.
Pageanthology’s Assessment:
Dominga López is one of the most compelling delegates in this Miss Universe cycle – a journalist by training with the oratory skills to match, and a composure under pressure that was already tested and proven on her own national stage. Her ability to navigate a difficult question with grace suggests she could be a genuine threat in Miss Universe’s demanding interview segment. Chile hasn’t won since its lone title decades ago, but Dominga has the tools to make a real run at ending that wait. One of the delegates to watch most closely heading into November.