Terri Lyons in the throes of her winning performance of ‘Blessing’ -
image via YouTube TTT Live Online screen grab
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - She received a standing ovation, and was one of twelve finalists who graced the stage under the lights of the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. Terri Lyons, singing ‘Blessings,’ took home the title of 2026 National Calypso Monarch, a trophy, the prize purse of TT $1,000,000 (circa US $147,443) and a new car courtesy Lifestyle Motors. Rikki Jai and Rivaldo London placed second and third, and received TT $500,000 (circa US $73,721) and TT $350,000 (circa US $51,605), respectively.
Fourth and fifth placing finalists’ purses were TT $250,000 (circa US $36,860) and TT $175,000 (circa US $25,802). The remaining field received TT $45,000 (circa US $6,634)apiece. The calypso competition was organized by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO), and was part of the annual Dimanche Gras show on February 15, Carnival Sunday night.
Helon Francis the defending calypso monarch was judged sixth. Notably, in the middle of his performance, the online audio disappeared completely, so viewers taking in the TTT Live Online feed missed out on the audio for about half his performance. The live audience would not have had that experience.
There were several guest artists during the evening. The 2026 Junior Calypso Monarch winner Janaya Clarke was among the performers.
Following are the full results of the final night competition for Calypso Monarch at Dimanche Gras.
| Results - 2026 Calypso Monarch Competition | |||
| Place/Pts | Calypsonian | Sobriquet | Selection |
| 1st - 263 | Terri Lyons | - | Blessings |
| 2nd - 245 | Rivaldo London | - | Water Thicker |
| 3rd - 241 | Samraj Jaimungal | “Rikki Jai” | Doh Spoil Meh Name |
| 4th - 240 | Akhenaton Lewis | “Yung Bredda” | The Messenger |
| 5th - 239 | Karene Asche | “The Calypso Princess” | Nobody Wins Until |
| 6th - 237 | Helon Francis | - | Doh Forget |
| 7th - 236 | Nicole Thomas-Clarke | - | Sacrifice |
| 8th - 235 | Ta’zyah O’Connor | - | Cast Them Away |
| 9th - 230 | Giselle Fraser | “GG” | No Village Can’t |
| 10th - 228 | Muhammad Muwakil | “Freetown Collective” | Calypso |
| 11th - 225 | Kerice Pascall | - | No Conscience |
| 12th - 212 | Roslyn Reid-Hayes | Roslyn | Calypso Calling Me |
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