There are few instances where Palestine and Israel compete directly. At the 2024 Olympics, there was no direct confrontation, despite representatives from both countries having the opportunity to compete in swimming and judo. In soccer, Palestine competes in the Asian confederation and Israel in the European one, as in other team sports. But there is one place where they will, this November: Miss Universe.
"I am honored to announce that, for the first time in history, Palestine is represented in Miss Universe," wrote Nadeen Ayoub on her Instagram account, where she has over a million followers. Three months before the pageant, the Miss Universe Organization confirmed to CNN the historic inclusion of Ayoub, who also has a long history in beauty pageants. She will compete not only for the crown, on November 21 in Bangkok, but also to give voice and representation to her people.
"Here we celebrate cultural exchange, empowerment, and diversity, values that Miss Palestine's trajectory strongly reflects," states the statement released by the organization. In fact, Nadeen already has her official photo, which she has shared on social media, wearing the 'Miss Palestine' sash.
Born in Ramallah — a Palestinian city located in the West Bank — she is the daughter of a lawyer and an educator. Her childhood and youth were spent between the United States, Canada, and Palestine, but it was in Dubai where she decided to settle and launch her project: Olive Green Academy, an online academy offering courses focused on professional development through the use of artificial intelligence, as detailed on her official website.
Beyond her entrepreneurial side, Nadeen is a committed activist. She holds a degree in Psychology and is an ambassador and collaborator for various organizations focused on supporting the Palestinian population, such as the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. She is also the founder and leader of Miss Palestine, an initiative that aims to empower young women through educational programs, training, inclusion, entrepreneurship, and access to healthcare.
Rosalía, facing criticism over Palestine: "The blame should be directed upwards"
Ayoub has built a prominent career in the world of beauty pageants, becoming a reference for Palestine on the international scene. She started her journey in 2016 and, in 2022, she was crowned Miss Palestine, a contest with a controversial tradition in the territory: in 2009, it was postponed after 16 out of the 20 candidates did not show up due to social, family, and religious pressures. At that time, the pageant banned, among other things, bikini parades. Now, Nadeen poses as Miss Palestine in traditional attire. She has experience: she participated in Miss Earth 2022, where she won the title of Miss Earth Water, corresponding to the second runner-up of the competition.
"There hasn't been another Miss Palestine since 2022 due to the genocide. After Miss Earth, I was supposed to go to Miss Universe, but I postponed it. The focus should be on the Palestinian people, not on me," says Ayoub.
But her fight goes beyond a crown. "Miss Universe is a huge platform, and there is a great responsibility in denouncing what is happening in Gaza. No one should remain silent in the face of the injustice that is occurring. This is the moment when Palestine needs to be represented everywhere," Ayoub stated in an interview with The National, based in Abu Dhabi.
She will have hundreds of rivals, but the one generating the most interest is the Israeli Melanie Shiraz, 26 years old, who also defines herself as an activist and advocate for female empowerment. She studied at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a double degree in Data Science and Interdisciplinary Studies. She co-founded a financial technology startup in London. She was crowned Miss Israel on July 18. "My connection with Israel is constant. I have represented Israeli and Jewish voices in international advocacy spaces, participated in global leadership programs, and worked to strengthen the bond between the diaspora and my homeland," she affirms.
While Nadeen is grabbing international headlines with her recent candidacy, Melanie claims to receive almost no interviews. "Instead of controlling our narrative, we are letting others build it for us," she questioned on Israeli television.
In total, 130 candidates from around the world will compete. Spain will be represented by Andrea Valero, a 28-year-old Galician crowned on July 31 in Tenerife. Despite speculations, specialized portals already have their favorites: Argentina, Portugal, Venezuela, Peru...
"Miss Universe is a huge platform, and there is a great responsibility in denouncing what is happening in Gaza. No one should remain silent in the face of the injustice that is occurring (...)"
While Palestine's participation has garnered widespread international attention, it has not been the only one to spark debate. Cuba also made a symbolic return the previous year, after nearly 57 years of absence due to the ban imposed during Fidel Castro's regime. In 2024, Mariela Ancheta managed to place in the top 30, and this year it will be Lina Luaces representing the Caribbean country.
Like Cuba and Palestine in previous years, many other countries still do not participate in international beauty pageants, for various reasons. North Korea, for example, has never been present because its regime considers these events "symbols of decadence." Afghanistan and Iran have also not been part, mainly for religious reasons. However, this year Palestine is no longer on the list of absentees, a historic fact, especially considering that Palestine does not have universal diplomatic recognition, which often hinders its inclusion in global platforms that require a formal status to accept candidacies, such as Miss Universe.