LaToya Malcolm, a Jamaican actress, television presenter and beauty pageant competitor, has died at the age of 35. The Miss Universe Jamaica organization confirmed the news of her death in a statement posted to Instagram on July 18, 2026. Her cause of death was not disclosed.
Malcolm competed in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica pageant and was remembered by the franchise as one of its alumnae. In a heartfelt message on social media, the organization said it was mourning the loss of a woman who competed with pride and left a lasting impression on those around her.
“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 group wrote in its statement. It added that its condolences were with her family, friends and loved ones, closing with the words, “Rest peacefully, LaToya. You will never be forgotten.”
A Decade in Entertainment
Beyond the pageant world, Malcolm built a broad career across Jamaica’s entertainment industry. She was a Jamaican-based actor and performer with more than 10 years of experience, and she also worked as a dance instructor. Her creative life spanned acting, television presenting and dance, making her a familiar and versatile presence to local audiences.
Just weeks before her death, Malcolm appeared on the morning program “Smile Jamaica” to demonstrate her dance skills. In a July 3, 2026, Instagram post, she expressed gratitude to the program and wrote about starting the day with movement and positivity. Friends and admirers said the cheerful message captured the spirit she was known for. Malcolm won the Miss Jamaica Bikini International crown in 2024, a triumph with significant personal resonance. Following her father’s death earlier that year, she persevered through training and the competition while mourning. In an emotional post, she honored him with the victory and expressed her belief that he was watching proudly from above, while thanking her supporters.
“My beloved father, Mr. Malcolm, this win was for you. Your one and only daughter continues to make you proud,” she wrote at the time, adding that she believed he was smiling down on her from heaven. She also expressed gratitude for the ongoing support of her friends and family throughout the experience.
Away from the stage and screen, Malcolm was known for her community work. She was involved with the Transition project, an initiative aimed at providing training and resources to help adolescents successfully navigate new opportunities. She also did volunteer work assisting local youth with career development and connecting them to job resources, according to details shared through the Miss Universe Jamaica platform. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, reading and sightseeing.
Tributes Pour In
The reigning Miss Universe Jamaica titleholder, Gabrielle Henry, was among those who publicly mourned Malcolm. Henry made headlines last year after she had a widely publicized tumble on stage during the Miss Universe competition held in Thailand. On July 19, 2026, she took to her Instagram Story to share a reflective tribute, describing Malcolm’s death as a significant loss to her family and to the wider Jamaican community.
Henry wrote that after years of experiencing loss and hardship, she had come to understand the value of pausing to reflect on the lives of those who lived fully and with great passion. She said Malcolm’s impact would always be remembered and that her voice would not be forgotten, offering her deepest condolences to the family.
Fans and former colleagues also filled the comment section of the organization’s announcement with messages of grief. One commenter recalled meeting and working with Malcolm in 2024, describing her as a breath of fresh air who pushed through the Miss Universe competition even while grieving her father. Another wrote that Malcolm was full of light and always joyful, saying they were struggling to comprehend the news.
The outpouring reflected the reach Malcolm had built over her career, both through her public performances and her quieter efforts on behalf of young people in Jamaica. From the dance floor to television studios to the pageant stage, she cultivated a reputation as someone who brought warmth and dedication to everything she pursued.
The Miss Universe Jamaica organization did not provide further details about arrangements or the circumstances surrounding her death. Its statement, along with the tributes from Henry and members of the public, stood as a collective remembrance of a performer whose presence in Jamaica’s cultural life spanned more than 10 years.
