The Miss Universe Jamaica organization announced on July 18, 2026, that former pageant contestant LaToya Malcolm had died at 35. The cause was not disclosed in the Instagram statement.
Malcolm worked as an actress, television host and dance teacher in Jamaica, building a career that stretched across more than a decade in the entertainment field. She took part in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica competition and also captured the Miss Jamaica Bikini International title that same year.
Her victory at Miss Jamaica Bikini International came months after her father passed away. Training and competing while in mourning, Malcolm dedicated the crown to him in a social media tribute. “My beloved father, Mr. Malcolm, this win was for you. Your one and only daughter continues to make you proud,” she wrote, adding that she felt certain he was looking down from heaven with pride and thanking those who stood by her side.
Tributes Pour In
Current Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Henry posted a tribute on her Instagram Story on July 19, 2026. Henry, who gained attention last year following a fall during the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, described Malcolm’s passing as a profound loss for both her relatives and the broader Jamaican population.
After enduring years of personal grief, Henry said she had learned to take time honoring those who lived with intensity and purpose. She wrote that Malcolm’s influence would endure and that her voice would continue to resonate, extending her deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.
In its official statement, the Miss Universe Jamaica franchise said it mourned an alumna who represented the pageant with dignity and made a memorable mark on everyone she encountered. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Miss Universe Jamaica alumna LaToya Malcolm, who proudly competed in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica Competition,” the organization wrote, extending sympathy to her family, friends and loved ones and closing with: “Rest peacefully, LaToya. You will never be forgotten.”
A Decade in Entertainment
With skills spanning acting, hosting and dance instruction, Malcolm became a recognizable figure across Jamaica’s entertainment landscape. Audiences knew her through television appearances and stage performances that showcased her versatility.
Just weeks before her death, she visited the morning show “Smile Jamaica” to display her dance abilities. In a July 3, 2026, Instagram post, she thanked the program and discussed beginning the day through movement and optimism. Friends said the upbeat message reflected the energy she was recognized for bringing to her work.
Outside the spotlight, Malcolm committed herself to community service. She participated in the Transition project, an effort offering training and support to help teenagers adapt to emerging opportunities. She volunteered helping local young people develop career skills and access employment resources, according to information shared on the Miss Universe Jamaica platform. She also enjoyed traveling, reading and sightseeing during her free hours.
Fans and colleagues flooded the comment section beneath the organization’s announcement with expressions of sorrow. One person recalled meeting Malcolm in 2024 and collaborating with her, calling her a breath of fresh air who pushed forward in the Miss Universe competition despite simultaneously processing her father’s death. Another commenter noted Malcolm radiated light and joy constantly, adding they found the news impossible to process.
The responses underscored the connections Malcolm forged throughout her professional life, both through her public work and her private efforts supporting Jamaican youth. Whether on a dance floor, in a television studio or competing on a pageant stage, she earned a reputation for approaching every endeavor with enthusiasm and commitment.
The Miss Universe Jamaica organization offered no additional information regarding memorial plans or the details of her passing. The statement, alongside Henry’s words and public comments, served as a shared commemoration of a performer whose contributions to Jamaica’s cultural scene spanned more than 10 years.