The first ever Miss Universe candidate from the United Arab Emirates will be crowned soon. This was announced by the Miss Universe Organization and Yugen Events at the Armani Ristorante in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE on October 7, 2021.

Josh Yugen is the president and national director of Miss Universe UAE. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Yugen Group and XPEDITION Magazine.

“It is such an honor for Yugen Events to partner with an organization like Miss Universe who has been in the industry for the last 70 years inspiring and empowering women from all over the world,” Yugen stated. “Miss Universe UAE is not just a parade of beauty or celebration of intelligence but, moreover, she is a paragon of a purposeful queen and a heart to serve and help through her advocacies.”

Yugen will prepare the inaugural event along with five other members of Miss Universe UAE 2021 council namely creative consultant Maggie Wilson, head of charities and philanthropy Alaf Meky, head of compassion and empowerment Zel Ali, head of creatives, fashion and design Furne Amato and head of communications Sharihan Al Mashary. In October 2018, Al Mashary became Emaar’s first ever female Emirati general manager.

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Starting October 7, 2021, aspiring candidates may apply online by registering at the Miss Universe UAE website. Selected applicants will be called for a personal casting call at Al Habtoor Palace Hotel in Al Habtoor City, Dubai on October 15, 2021.

Candidates must be aged 18 to 28 and must have valid UAE identification cards. They may be either a UAE citizen or a resident of the country for at least three years.

On October 20, 2021, the list of 30 official Miss Universe UAE 2021 candidates will be revealed. They will compete in several preliminary activities including photoshoots, commercial shoots, runway challenges and closed-door panel interview between October 20, 2021 and October 30, 2021 and there will be no swimsuit competition.

Yugen Events has yet to announce who will host the live coronation ceremony of Miss Universe UAE 2021 at La Perle in Al Habtoor City on November 7, 2021. There is also no confirmation whether or not the members of the council will also serve as the judges.

The winner will represent the UAE at Miss Universe 2021 in Eilat, Israel on December 12, 2021. Reigning Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza, 27, of Mexico was crowned at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA on May 16, 2021.

It will be the 70th edition of Miss Universe. Steve Havey, 64, is returning as the host of the coronation night.

Founded on June 28, 1952, the organization is headquartered in New York City, New York, U.S.A. Paula M. Shugart, 52, has been serving as its president since 1997.

“I could not be more pleased to welcome the first ever representative from the United Arab Emirates, to our globally televised event in December,” Shugart stated. “The UAE is marking a very important time in its history from the signing of the Abraham Accords to hosting the World Expo and there has never been a better time to shine a spotlight on the women residing in this country.”

Meza will be the Miss Universe with the shortest reign after she passes her crown. Before becoming Miss Universe 2020, she was Miss World 2017 first runner-up.