Editor’s Note: Two judges in the annual competition have pulled out of the 8-member jury, with one claiming that an “impromptu” panel had already selected 30 finalists from among the 136 participating countries, and the other citing “unforeseen personal reasons.”
For the first time ever, the Miss Universe pageant has welcomed a delegate from Palestine, Nadeen Ayoub. And she tapped Filipinos to help her win the crown.
Before flying to Thailand for the international competition’s 74th edition, Ayoub was in Manila and discussed her pageant journey with members of the Philippine media.
“I have a team that’s dedicated to really pushing me to train and to be the best person that I am,” Ayoub told CoverStory when asked what makes the Philippines the best training ground for aspiring beauty queens.
It was not her first time in the country, though. She came to Manila in 2022 to compete in the 22nd Miss Earth pageant, also as the first-ever Palestinian delegate.
She came so close to winning the main crown, and was proclaimed Miss Earth-Water. But she earned more than just a title: She built a network of individuals involved in pageantry, who became her family in the country.
“I love the Philippines, I love Manila. The people here are fantastic—amazing vibes, beautiful energy. And I’m just so excited to be here,” she declared.
Citing the “beautiful vibe” among Filipinos and the positivity she feels in the country, Ayoub said the Philippines is the best place to be in before a huge event such as the Miss Universe pageant.
And she certainly needs a dose of positive energy, because she is on a mission to take advantage of the platform that the competition offers to amplify the tremendous suffering of Palestinians under Israel’s assault. According to Al Jazeera, quoting the Ministry of Health in Gaza, the death toll in the enclave has reached 69,169 since Oct. 7, 2023.
“It’s so important right now,” Ayoub said. “It’s a time for a Palestinian to join Miss Universe because it’s a platform where we can share our stories with the world beyond the headlines that we see today, beyond the suffering, beyond what we’re used to seeing on the news.”
Ayoub spoke of the dreams and aspirations of Palestinians, especially women and children. “We give so much to our communities, and we can give so much to the world, or might I say the universe,” she said, adding:
“We want to live. And we have wants and needs, and we want to reach our accomplishments just like everyone else in the world. And we want to humanize ourselves in front of the world.”
Currently based in Dubai, Ayoub said she and her mother still visit family members left behind and engage in relief missions in areas where it is safe to go.
In Dubai, she has established the Olive Green Academy, where “we teach technology and AI, but as tools for good,” she said. “It’s how to incorporate the tools of content creation in showing the world what is sustainability and how we can protect our planet more, and how we can uplift communities.”
But it will be more than just technology and sustainability that Ayoub would discuss at the Miss Universe pageant. “It is extremely important to show the injustices that are faced by Palestinians,” she said. “I’m sure many of you know Bethlehem, which is where Jesus was born. And there I met a child named Rakan who, despite his cancer treatments, was still dreaming to be an artist.”
Ayoub said Rakan and his family were struggling to get him the necessary treatment in Palestine because many hospitals have turned to rubble after air strikes.
“This is just one story that I really felt deeply in my heart,” she said. “And it inspired me to be a voice for Rakan and other children like him. So my voice on the Miss Universe platform is to speak of the dreams, the aspirations, of the things that we can relate to with the world.”
In Manila, Filipino beauty queen maker Rodgil Flores, who boasts a long list of international titleholders, helped Ayoub with her stage presentation. Her question-and-answer training was handled by JV Canta, who has also honed global queens.
Several other Miss Universe delegates went through pageant crash courses under other Filipino mentors—Denmark’s Monique Sonne, Egypt’s Sabrina Maged, Pakistan’s Roma Riaz, Paraguay’s Yanina Gomez, and Sweden’s Daniella Lundqvist.
The 74th Miss Universe pageant will conclude in a final competition show at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi, northwest of Bangkok, on Nov. 21.
The Philippines is being represented by former Miss International runner-up Ahtisa Manalo, who is hoping to become the fifth Filipino woman to be crowned Miss Universe.
Read more: Unusual drama at the Miss Universe pageant, now on its 74th edition
