UAE to Debut at Miss Universe with Emilia Dobreva as First Representative

For the first time, the UAE will have a representative at the Miss Universe pageant. Model and mother of three, Emilia Dobreva, who was crowned Miss Universe UAE in a private audition in October, will represent the country at the global event.

Poppy Capella, appointed by the Miss Universe Organization as the UAE’s national director, described Emilia as an ideal choice, highlighting her decade-long residence in the UAE, her marriage to an Emirati, and her fluency in Arabic. Emilia will compete in the Miss Universe finale on November 16 in Mexico City, where her national costume will pay homage to the UAE. Her abaya will feature UAE sand at the bottom, symbolizing the country's roots, and modern design elements on top to reflect the nation’s progress.

The Miss Universe pageant recently shifted from traditional criteria, removing restrictions on age, height, weight, and marital status to create a platform focused on empowering women. This year’s pageant will also mark the debut of nine other countries, including Miss Somalia, the competition’s first hijabi contestant.

Due to limited preparation time, Miss Universe UAE held a private, closed-door selection instead of an open audition. The competition had over 1,000 entries, and the team shortlisted 16 finalists, open to both Emiratis and expats. The finalists, including an Emirati winner in the ‘Voice of Change’ category, Fatima Bahman Nowroozi, underwent intensive training in public speaking and the catwalk.

Emilia’s journey to Miss Universe included daily training, social media attention, and high hopes for reaching the top five. She will wear a modest burkini in the swimwear round to honor UAE cultural values.

One of the highlights of Miss Universe UAE is the stunning Palm of Inclusion crown, valued at over Dh15 million and crafted by Mouwad. In partnership with local clothing brand Belionel and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Miss Universe UAE created a charity T-shirt, with proceeds supporting MSF UAE. Plans are underway for an even grander event next year.

The Miss Universe UAE franchise has also teamed up with BrightFlixx Entertainment to produce a reality show that will highlight the UAE’s unique beauty. Each episode will feature Miss Universe contestants exploring hidden gems and showcasing UAE traditions, offering viewers an authentic look at the nation’s culture and heritage.