The Miss Universe Organization and Yugen Events announced on Thursday at the Armani Ristorante in Burj Khalifa that Dubai would host the first-ever Miss Universe UAE.
The momentous occasion will take place at La Perle in Al Habtoor City, Dubai.
The Miss Universe UAE Council has been formed to plan the event and choose the winner for the worldwide competition.
Miss Universe UAE applications and casting will commence today, October 7, and may be completed online at missuniverseuae.com. All UAE citizens between the ages of 18 and 28 are eligible to register.
All qualified applicants will be invited to a personal casting call on October 15 at the Al Habtoor Palace Hotel. Only 30 candidates will progress to the live event at the aforementioned venue, as revealed on October 20.
Between October 20 and October 30, the 30 finalists will engage in a variety of pageant events, including a photoshoot, runway challenges, commercial shots, preliminary activewear, evening gown, and close door panel interview.
The official Miss Universe UAE winner will advance to the international stage, the Miss Universe 70th edition, which will be held in Israel in December 2021.
Josh Yugen, President and National Director, as well as the Founder and CEO of Yugen Group and XPEDITION Magazine, is a member of the council. Alaf Meky, Head of Philanthropy and Charities, Zel Ali, Head of Compassion and Empowerment, Sharihan Al Mashary, Head of Communications and the UAE's first female Emirati hotel GM, Maggie Wilson, Creative Consultant, and Furne Amato, Head of Creatives, Fashion, and Design
"Miss Universe UAE will be incredibly significant to us because it represents achievement, associated with service, and importance," said Sharihan Al Mashary, the UAE's first female Emirati hotel general manager. "And, the person who will represent the UAE at Miss Universe will also symbolize the country's service and significance in the previous 50 years, as well as in the coming 50 years."
Miss Universe UAE will not be wearing swimwear. "A woman's identity extends beyond the boundaries of her sculpture." And that is why we are changing in order to make a difference and accomplish something that no one in Miss Universe's 70-year history has done," she said.
Miss Universe is the world's largest annual beauty contest, with an estimated 500 million viewers.
The event's 2020 version was held in May of this year in Florida, United States. Andrea Meza of Mexico currently holds the championship. The event's 69th edition drew just 74 competitors from 74 nations and territories.
