Miss Universe is Getting Its First Ever UAE Contestant

The UAE will be represented at the Miss Universe pageant for the first time this year, as model and mother-of-three Emilia Dobreva, crowned Miss Universe UAE in October, prepares to compete.

The UAE’s Miss Universe franchise, handled privately under the leadership of Poppy Capella appointed by the Miss Universe Organization in September, selected Dobreva to honour the nation on the global stage. Dobreva, who has resided in the UAE for over 10 years and is married to an Emirati, is fluent in Arabic and was chosen to help embody the intelligence and elegance sought in the international competition.

The selection process, conducted privately due to time constraints, attracted over 1,000 applicants from both Emiratis and expatriates. 16 finalists were chosen to compete, with one contestant, Emirati Fatima Bahman Nowroozi, winning the ‘Voice of Change’ category.

The Miss Universe finale will be held on November 16th in Mexico City, with contestants from 130 countries participating. Dobreva will showcase a national costume that includes a symbolic abaya, incorporating real UAE sand to represent the country's evolution from desert to modern state. Cultural respect played a role in the UAE's selection process, excluding a swimwear round. However, Dobreva will wear a modest burqini for the Miss Universe swimwear competition.

This year’s pageant reflects new eligibility guidelines that allow married women, as well as participants of all ages, body types and marital statuses. The 2023 competition will also feature 10 debuting countries, including Somalia, represented by the first hijabi contestant in the pageant’s history.