In a groundbreaking development for international beauty pageants, the Palestinian territories will have their first representative in Miss Universe history when 27-year-old Nadine Ayoub takes the stage at the November 2025 competition. The certified health and nutrition coach will compete alongside Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz in what marks the Palestinian territories' inaugural participation since the pageant's founding.
Ayoub divides her residence between Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Judea and Samaria after childhood years in Canada and the United States. The literature and psychology graduate earned her "Miss Palestine" crown in 2022 and subsequently broke barriers at Miss Earth 2022, where she secured a top-five finish and claimed the "Water Queen" title.
Her selection for Miss Universe 2025, scheduled for November 21 in Pak Kret, Thailand, represents the culmination of years building Palestinian representation in international beauty competitions. Through her Olive Green Academy, Ayoub champions sustainability initiatives while training Palestinian women as entrepreneurs and climate ambassadors, creating lasting impact beyond pageant platforms.
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The entrepreneur's commitment extends through her ongoing work with "Sayidat Falasteen," the philanthropic and media arm of the "Miss Palestine" organization. This platform amplifies Palestinian women's voices while supporting Palestinian-owned businesses, demonstrating her dedication to community empowerment alongside competitive achievement.
Announcing her participation Wednesday through Instagram to her million followers, Ayoub appeared in traditional Palestinian attire featuring embroidery by designer Hiba Abdel Karim, who previously created pieces for Queen Rania of Jordan. She emphasized that her delayed entry into Miss Universe reflected the humanitarian circumstances affecting the West Bank and Gaza.
"I am honored to announce that for the first time ever, Palestine will be represented at Miss Universe.
Today, I step onto the Miss Universe stage not just with a title—but with a truth. As Palestine endures heartbreak—especially in Gaza—I carry the voice of a people who refuse to be silenced. I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see. We are more than our suffering—we are resilience, hope, and the heartbeat of a homeland that lives on through us," Ayoub said on her Instagram post.
Public response to Ayoub's announcement reflected predictable divisions across social media platforms. Palestinian supporters and sympathizers celebrated the development as historic and groundbreaking, generating hundreds of encouraging responses while some users expressed concerns about her involvement in the competition.
Opposition voices challenged her representation of Palestinian territories, claiming she cannot be called "Miss Palestine" since it does not exist. "Shouldn't there be a country to represent it?", critics wrote online. Additional detractors targeted her physical appearance, writing, "The situation in Gaza is apparently excellent because she really doesn't look starved," referencing ongoing media reports about humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
