First Miss Palestine at Miss Universe opens up on pride, beauty, and hope: 'We are people with dreams and talents'
Dubai's Nadeen Ayoub says there's more to her country than suffering and tragic headlines
“We are more than our suffering. We are more than our headlines,” says Nadeen Ayoub, her voice steady but insistent.
“We are people with dreams and talents and a powerful voice to offer the world.” Not your typical pageant soundbite—these are the words of a beauty queen carrying both the burden and the pride of her country, one too often reduced to conflict.
Ayoub, a Dubai-based model and activist, has made history as the first Palestinian woman to compete at Miss Universe 2025.
On November 21, she’ll walk onto the Bangkok stage with 130 other contestants. But while most bring sequins and sashes, Ayoub shows up with something far heavier: the hopes of a nation and the kind of star power that makes a Zoom call from Amman feel like a red-carpet moment.
First off, congratulations. How does it feel to already be making history before even stepping on the Miss Universe stage?
Thank you so much. Honestly, it feels surreal. There are so many emotions happening at once — I’m proud, I’m happy, I’m nervous, I’m overwhelmed. But what I feel the most is a responsibility. I know that standing there isn’t just about me, it’s about being a voice for the women and children of Palestine, for the innocent people who still have dreams, talents, beauty, and so much to share with the world. I carry that with me, and that’s what I want to stand for when I walk on that stage.
You’re based in Dubai but walking on stage as Miss Palestine. How do you balance those two identities?
Yes, I live in Dubai, I have my company and my academy there, but I also live between Ramallah and Dubai, and I spend time in Amman as well. I’m part of the Palestinian diaspora — almost half of Palestinians live outside of Palestine. But whether you’re inside or outside, whether you’re in Gaza, the West Bank, or abroad, we all share that same identity. We’re Palestinian. We’re very diverse, but we’re one people. And even if I’m based in Dubai, I carry Palestine in my heart and in my voice.
How difficult is it to step onto a global stage with that confidence—especially when you come from a region that hasn’t really had a history of participating in pageants?
You’re right, we haven’t participated much in beauty contests before—but that’s because the opportunities weren’t there. Part of my mission is to change that, so I’m not the only Miss Palestine. Maybe I had the courage to go first, but so many other Palestinian women have the courage, talent, beauty, and dreams to be here too. Through the Miss Palestine organisation, I want to create a platform for them to shine—for their voices, beauty, and gifts to be seen. I’m more than a beauty queen; I’m paving the way for many Miss Palestines' to come.
Be honest—did little Nadeen always dream of tiaras and sashes?
(laughs) No, honestly I didn’t. As a child, I wanted to be a writer. My mom has a PhD in child development and my dad is a lawyer, so education was very important in my family. I was always encouraged to study first, and when I was younger people would approach me for modelling and competitions, but my parents wanted me to focus on my studies. I thought I would grow up to be a lawyer, or a writer, or even a professor. But when I kept getting approached for beauty pageants, I realised — maybe I can use that platform for something bigger. Because pageantry isn’t just about outer beauty. It’s about what you stand for, your purpose, the impact you can make. And I thought, if I can if I can combine this with my advocacy and with representing my people, then it’s worth stepping into.
I remember watching Miss Congeniality, with Sandra Bullock saying at the end, “I, too, want world peace.”
Of course. I know most beauty queens do say that line. But I think what’s more important is asking how can we actually create world peace? What are the steps we can take? We need to use the right tools to create the world peace we need. It’s deeper than just saying the words. It has to start with ourselves—as women—becoming the best versions of who we want to be. When we do that, we reflect it back into our societies, our communities, and onto the world. Women are so powerful. We can manifest anything if we believe in ourselves—world peace, positivity, change. That’s what I’ve realised, and that’s what I want to keep doing and encouraging others to do.
How are you hoping to represent your country? As you said, Palestine is often only seen through the lens of conflict.
We want to tell the world that we are more than our suffering, more than the headlines. We are people with dreams, talents, and powerful voices to offer. We want to live. We are just like everyone else—children who want to go to school, people who want to be singers, artists, doctors, lawyers. We also have rich heritage and culture—in our fashion, our music, our food, even in the way we speak and share love. Palestinians have so much to offer, and I want the world to see us that way.
When you told your family that you wish to enter a beauty contest, how did they react?
They knew I had a lot of goals and was working hard toward many things. But I think they were still shocked to see it all getting this much attention. I’m their third daughter, and to them, I’m still their little girl. The people closest to me—my family, my loved ones—they see me as Nadeen, not as a beauty queen. Of course, they believe in me, but it’s still surprising for them to see all this attention being showered on me.
If you had to choose between being an activist or being a beauty queen, what would you choose?
Why not both? I think each can amplify the other. Being a beauty queen can give more reach to the voice of an activist or humanitarian. And being an activist gives weight to the platform of a beauty queen. Together, they make people really pay attention.
In India many beauty queens go on to Bollywood after winning their crown ... Any such plans?
Honestly, I just want to continue my legacy and my work. With my organisation Sayidat Falasteen, I want to keep helping women, children, and innocent people who need a voice—not just to survive, but to thrive in this world and in Palestine. When one country and its people are thriving and safe, humanity as a whole is thriving. But if even one person suffers an injustice, then all of humanity suffers it. That’s why continuing this work means so much to me. Of course, I also have my academy and other projects, and I’m going with the flow—but this mission is what fulfills me the most.
Beauty pageants are often reductive. Critics would say, “Women are more than their looks". What would you tell those critics today?
When you hear “beauty queen,” you hear the word “beautiful.” But beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Pageants today are about redefining what beauty is. It’s no longer just physical—it’s the beauty of the soul, of the voice, of helping your community, and expressing yourself as a woman in that way. What’s special about women is that we’re nurturing. We love to care for others and support those around us. That is true beauty. So this isn’t about being against beauty queens—it’s about broadening the definition. There’s so much beauty to show, not only as individuals but also through our countries and nations. If we see it that way, we can truly appreciate what a beauty queen represents.
Do you have your winning speech ready?
I don’t. It just happens naturally for me. I don’t like to over-prepare.
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