Emirati Queen

Miss Universe UAE 2021 makes cut from 300 qualifiers, announces Top 30

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

A runway challenge and a question asking an applicant why she deserves to be part of United Arab Emirate's history in the Miss Universe pageant was all it took for the organization to weed out the cream of the crop.

But the more arduous task was trimming down the 1,200 (some accounts say it's 1,500) applicants to the first 300, and then to the Final 30.

"We're looking for someone who is the epitome of kindness. She needs to be beautiful inside and out because Miss Universe UAE is not just a measure of beauty or intelligence, it's more about her heart and her purpose.

"We're changing the the norms of pageantry in the United Arab Emirates. It's not just about physical beauty, it's about inclusion and individuality, too!" enthused national director Josh Yugen.

The thirty lucky aspirants are:

- Alma Prtsich, 24, Dubai Marina

- Anna, 28, Dubai Marina

- Anita Nayyar, 24, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

- Asher Jones, 28, Dubai Marina

- Bahar Kommieva, 26, Al Haddaf, Dubai

- Daria Kochier, 27, Downtown Dubai

- Dil'Noza Abdu, 23, Downtown Dubai

- Emilia Dobreva, 24, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai

- Frankie Russell, 27, Downtown Dubai

- Jasmin Lazarus, 22, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

- Karolina Chernoshej, 24, Downtown Dubai

- Kristin Samara, 20, Town Square, Dubai

- Marwa Al Hashemi, 23, Alqarayn, Sharjah

- Natalia Lupatova, 24, Trade Center, Dubai

- Nutchaya, 28, City Walk, Dubai

- Razan Zughayar, 28, Al  Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

- Reem Birdette, 25, Al Bandar, Abu Dhabi

- Saachi Gurav, 25, Tourist Club, Abu Dhabi

- Sara Smajic, 25, Silicon Camp, Dubai

- Victoria Alvarez, 26, Al Barari, Dubai

- Rachel Altenburg, 28, Dubai Hills Estate

- Shahinaz Albouchi, 18, Al Jaddaf, Dubai

- Keerati, 28, Downtown Dubai

- Ameera Alawadhi, 23, Shakbout City, Abu Dhabi

- Minwa Al Baked

- Kelsey Johnson, and

- Dr. Mahra Lufti, the first Emirati stem cell doctor with an American Board certificate in Regenerative Medicine

Dr. Lufti and Filipino-Kiwi candidate, Frankie Russell, are considered frontrunners in this exciting race. Russell was a former Pinoy Big Brother housemate some years back.

The final show will unfold on Nov. 7 at the La Perle in Dubai's Al Habtoor City. Miss Lebanon 2004 Nadine Nassib Njeim is confirmed to be part of the coronation night's selection panel.

Together with national director Josh Yugen, running the Miss Universe UAE organization are creative consultant Maggie Wilson, head of charities & philanthropy Afaf Meky, head of communications Sharihan Mashary, head of compassion & empowerment Zel Ali, and head of creatives, fashion & design Furne One of Amato Couture.