UAE to Make Historic Debut at Miss Universe with Emilia Dobreva as First National Representative
Dubai, UAE — November 12, 2024: For the first time ever, the UAE will have a representative at the prestigious Miss Universe competition. Model and mother-of-three, Emilia Dobreva, who was crowned Miss Universe UAE in October following a private, closed-door audition, will represent the country at the global event.
The Miss Universe grand finale will take place in Mexico City on November 16, where Emilia will compete alongside contestants from 130 countries. Poppy Capella, who was appointed the national director for the UAE by the Miss Universe Organisation in September, praised Emilia as the perfect choice for the title. “She has been living in the UAE for over a decade, is married to an Emirati man, speaks Arabic, and embodies both beauty and intelligence,” Capella said.
National Costume to Reflect UAE’s Heritage and Modernity
One of the key highlights of the competition will be Emilia’s national costume, which will honor the UAE’s rich culture and rapid modernization. The abaya she will wear features real sand from the UAE at its bottom, while the top part reflects the country’s contemporary achievements. “This gown will truly embody the UAE, showing how it has transformed from the sand into a modern, thriving nation,” Capella explained.
A New Era for Miss Universe
In 2023, Miss Universe made a landmark decision to remove age, height, weight, and marital status restrictions for contestants, marking a shift towards empowering women rather than adhering to traditional beauty pageant norms. This year, along with the UAE, nine other countries will debut at the event, including Somalia, which will feature the competition’s first-ever hijabi contestant.
Private Audition Process and Cultural Sensitivity
Poppy Capella, who has previously overseen Miss Universe Indonesia and Malaysia, was appointed to steer the UAE’s participation at Miss Universe on short notice. “The Miss Universe Organisation trusted us because of our experience,” she said, adding that due to the late notice, they could not conduct an open audition. Instead, the selection process was handled privately and with cultural respect.
One key consideration was adapting the competition to align with the values of the UAE. “We did not have a swimwear round for the UAE competition, and Emilia will wear a fully covered swimsuit, or burqini, during the swimwear segment at Miss Universe,” Capella noted. “Her attire is modest, in line with local traditions.”
A Groundbreaking Moment for Both Emiratis and Expats
Over 1,000 applicants, including both Emirati nationals and expatriates, submitted entries for the Miss Universe UAE title. Capella emphasized the importance of including expatriates in this groundbreaking event, recognizing their significant contributions to the country. “We wanted to ensure that both Emiratis and expats had the chance to represent the UAE on the global stage,” she said.
The competition culminated in 16 finalists, who underwent a rigorous boot camp focusing on public speaking and catwalk training. “Once Emilia was chosen, she committed herself to daily, intensive training to ensure she was fully prepared for the global stage,” Capella shared. Emilia has already garnered significant attention on social media, and Capella expressed hope that she would make it to the top five at the competition.
A $15 Million Crown and Social Impact Initiatives
A standout feature of the Miss Universe UAE pageant was the Palm of Inclusion crown, valued at over Dh15 million, designed by luxury jeweler Mouwad. Additionally, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a charity T-shirt campaign was launched, with all proceeds benefiting MSF UAE.
Capella also revealed plans to expand the event in the future, with the aim of making next year’s edition even bigger. “The Miss Universe UAE franchise is a platform for empowering women and showcasing the country’s progress,” she added.
Showcasing the UAE’s Beauty and Culture
To further highlight the UAE’s unique culture and heritage, the Miss Universe UAE franchise has partnered with BrightFlixx Entertainment, a local streaming platform, to produce a reality show. The series will take viewers on a journey through the UAE, as contestants introduce hidden gems and share insights into the country’s traditions. “The show will offer a glimpse into the real beauty of the UAE,” said Anham Shaheen of BrightFlixx Entertainment.
This article celebrates the UAE’s historic debut at Miss Universe, focusing on Emilia Dobreva’s journey, the culturally respectful approach to the competition, and the wider initiatives surrounding the event.Dubai, UAE — November 12, 2024: For the first time ever, the UAE will have a representative at the prestigious Miss Universe competition. Model and mother-of-three, Emilia Dobreva, who was crowned Miss Universe UAE in October following a private, closed-door audition, will represent the country at the global event.
The Miss Universe grand finale will take place in Mexico City on November 16, where Emilia will compete alongside contestants from 130 countries. Poppy Capella, who was appointed the national director for the UAE by the Miss Universe Organisation in September, praised Emilia as the perfect choice for the title. “She has been living in the UAE for over a decade, is married to an Emirati man, speaks Arabic, and embodies both beauty and intelligence,” Capella said.
National Costume to Reflect UAE’s Heritage and Modernity
One of the key highlights of the competition will be Emilia’s national costume, which will honor the UAE’s rich culture and rapid modernization. The abaya she will wear features real sand from the UAE at its bottom, while the top part reflects the country’s contemporary achievements. “This gown will truly embody the UAE, showing how it has transformed from the sand into a modern, thriving nation,” Capella explained.
A New Era for Miss Universe
In 2023, Miss Universe made a landmark decision to remove age, height, weight, and marital status restrictions for contestants, marking a shift towards empowering women rather than adhering to traditional beauty pageant norms. This year, along with the UAE, nine other countries will debut at the event, including Somalia, which will feature the competition’s first-ever hijabi contestant.
Private Audition Process and Cultural Sensitivity
Poppy Capella, who has previously overseen Miss Universe Indonesia and Malaysia, was appointed to steer the UAE’s participation at Miss Universe on short notice. “The Miss Universe Organisation trusted us because of our experience,” she said, adding that due to the late notice, they could not conduct an open audition. Instead, the selection process was handled privately and with cultural respect.
One key consideration was adapting the competition to align with the values of the UAE. “We did not have a swimwear round for the UAE competition, and Emilia will wear a fully covered swimsuit, or burqini, during the swimwear segment at Miss Universe,” Capella noted. “Her attire is modest, in line with local traditions.”
A Groundbreaking Moment for Both Emiratis and Expats
Over 1,000 applicants, including both Emirati nationals and expatriates, submitted entries for the Miss Universe UAE title. Capella emphasized the importance of including expatriates in this groundbreaking event, recognizing their significant contributions to the country. “We wanted to ensure that both Emiratis and expats had the chance to represent the UAE on the global stage,” she said.
The competition culminated in 16 finalists, who underwent a rigorous boot camp focusing on public speaking and catwalk training. “Once Emilia was chosen, she committed herself to daily, intensive training to ensure she was fully prepared for the global stage,” Capella shared. Emilia has already garnered significant attention on social media, and Capella expressed hope that she would make it to the top five at the competition.
A $15 Million Crown and Social Impact Initiatives
A standout feature of the Miss Universe UAE pageant was the Palm of Inclusion crown, valued at over Dh15 million, designed by luxury jeweler Mouwad. Additionally, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a charity T-shirt campaign was launched, with all proceeds benefiting MSF UAE.
Capella also revealed plans to expand the event in the future, with the aim of making next year’s edition even bigger. “The Miss Universe UAE franchise is a platform for empowering women and showcasing the country’s progress,” she added.
Showcasing the UAE’s Beauty and Culture
To further highlight the UAE’s unique culture and heritage, the Miss Universe UAE franchise has partnered with BrightFlixx Entertainment, a local streaming platform, to produce a reality show. The series will take viewers on a journey through the UAE, as contestants introduce hidden gems and share insights into the country’s traditions. “The show will offer a glimpse into the real beauty of the UAE,” said Anham Shaheen of BrightFlixx Entertainment.
