The UAE is making its debut in the Miss Universe pageant, with long-time resident Emilia Dobreva recently crowned as Miss UAE 2024. Emilia will represent the UAE in the upcoming competition, which takes place over the next few days in Mexico City, Mexico.
The UAE’s participation follows the debut of Bahrain and Pakistan last year, with contestants Lujane Yacoub and Erica Robin.
Emilia, a mother of three, has lived in the UAE for over a decade. Her husband is Emirati, and she speaks Arabic fluently. She was crowned Miss UAE in a private ceremony in October.
Raised in London, Emilia moved to the UAE with her family and began her modeling career at age 12, which has taken her to prestigious events worldwide, including New York Fashion Week, Chengdu beauty pageants, Dubai Fashion Week, and Riyadh Fashion Week. She also appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam in 2021.
Traditionally, Miss Universe contestants were required to be unmarried and between 18 and 28 years old. However, in 2023, these restrictions on age, height, weight, and marital status were lifted to transform the pageant into a platform empowering women of all backgrounds.
Alongside the UAE, nine other countries are debuting at this year’s event, including the first hijabi contestant, Miss Somalia.