UAE to Debut in Miss Universe with Emilia Dobreva
For the first time, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will participate in the Miss Universe pageant, with Emilia Dobreva set to represent the nation on November 16 in Mexico City.
Dobreva, who began modeling at 12 and was raised in London before moving to the UAE, has walked at prominent events like New York Fashion Week, Dubai Fashion Week, and Riyadh Fashion Week. She previously held titles including Miss World 2016, Miss Friendship International, and Miss Talent Winner in China in 2019 and 2020.
The Miss Universe Organization confirmed the UAE’s participation on Instagram and announced Indonesian businesswoman Poppy Capella as the national director for the UAE and Cyprus. Capella has previously directed Miss Universe Indonesia and Malaysia.
Dobreva, a model and mother of three, will represent the UAE at the 73rd Miss Universe competition, where she will wear an abaya for the national costume segment, according to Khaleej Times. In October, she was crowned Miss Universe UAE, a significant milestone for the country. The Miss Universe UAE organization praised her “elegance, intelligence, and commitment to empowering others.”
Expressing her excitement on Instagram, Dobreva shared, “I’m honored to wear the UAE sash for @missuniverse and represent incredible women globally. The culture in Mexico is inspiring, and I’ve even started learning some Spanish!”
