UAE names mother of three to represent country at Miss Universe contest

For the first time ever, UAE will have a representative on the Miss Universe stage.

Model and mother-of-three Emilia Dobreva, who was crowned Miss Universe UAE in October in a private closed-door audition will represent the country at the global event.

“She was the perfect choice for Miss Universe UAE,” said Poppy Capella, who was appointed the national director for the UAE by Miss Universe Organisation in September this year. “She has been living in the UAE for over a decade, is married to an Emirati man, speaks Arabic and is a beautiful and smart woman.”

The grand finale of Miss Universe, which will be held on November 16 in Mexico City, will see Emilia sashay down the runway along with competitors from 130 countries from around the world.

According to Poppy, in the national costume round, Emilia will wear an abaya that will be a stunning homage to the UAE.

“The bottom of her abaya will have real sand taken from the country and the top part of her abaya will reflect the modernity that this country has achieved,” she said. “The gown will truly embody the UAE, showing how it has built up a modern country from the sand.”

Historically, only unmarried models between the ages of 18 and 28 were allowed to participate in the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

However, in 2023, all restrictions related to age, height, weight and marital status were removed in a bid to move away from a beauty pageant format towards a platform to empower women.

Apart from the UAE, nine other countries will mark their debut at the event including the competition’s first hijabi contestant – Miss Somalia.