Emilia Doorbell to debut as UAE's first Miss Universe contestant

For the first time ever, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have a representative at the prestigious Miss Universe competition.

Emilia Dobreva, a fashion model and mother of three, was crowned Miss Universe UAE in October 2024 and will compete at the global event this November.

The announcement of the UAE’s participation was made via the official Instagram account of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), where businesswoman Papi Capella was also introduced as the National Director for the UAE.

Capella, who has managed Miss Universe events in Indonesia and Malaysia, praised Dobreva as the ideal candidate, citing her long-standing connection to the UAE, her fluency in Arabic, and her strong family values.

“She’s a beautiful and smart woman, and her deep ties to the UAE make her a powerful representative,” Capella said.

Emilia will join contestants from 130 countries in the grand finale of Miss Universe, set to take place on November 16, 2024, in Mexico City.

One of the most anticipated moments of the competition will be the National Costume round, where Dobreva will wear a unique abaya that reflects the UAE’s blend of tradition and modernity.

The gown will feature real sand from the UAE at the bottom, symbolizing the country’s transformation from desert to a thriving modern nation.

The 73rd edition of the Miss Universe competition marks the debut of the UAE, as well as nine other countries, including the competition’s first-ever hijabi contestant from Somalia.

The pageant, which traditionally had restrictions on age, height, weight, and marital status, removed these criteria in 2023, moving towards a more inclusive platform that empowers women of all backgrounds.

Due to time constraints, the Miss Universe UAE competition was conducted privately, with no open auditions. The decision to forgo the swimwear round in the local competition was made in respect of the UAE’s cultural values.

At the global stage, Dobreva will wear a modest burqini during the swimsuit segment.

The Miss Universe UAE competition received more than 1,000 entries from both Emiratis and expatriates, with 16 finalists selected.

Among them, Emirati contestant Fatima Bahman Nowroozi was awarded the "Golden Winner" title in the "Voice of Change" category.

Since her selection, Emilia has undergone intensive training in public speaking, catwalk skills, and other aspects of pageant preparation.

Poppy Capella, the National Director for the UAE, expressed hopes that Emilia will reach the top five in the competition, given the significant attention she has received on social media.

The Miss Universe UAE event also spotlighted the country’s commitment to charitable causes.

The event featured a Palm of Inclusion crown, valued at over AED 15 million, designed by renowned jewelers Mouwad.

Additionally, the event partnered with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to donate proceeds from the sale of specially designed T-shirts.

The Miss Universe UAE franchise is also collaborating with BrightFlixx Entertainment, a local streaming platform, to create a reality show that showcases the beauty and culture of the UAE.