Miss Universe UAE coronation night cancelled because of 'time constraints'

The event was supposed to name the country's first representative at the global beauty pageant

Miss Universe UAE contestants at the audition in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

A planned coronation night for the first Miss Universe UAE pageant has been cancelled. The event, which was supposed to be held on Sunday, was called off "due to time constraints", according to a statement posted by organisers on their Instagram story.

"Please watch this space for further news and updates," they said.

Organisers of Miss Universe UAE posted this message on Sunday night on Instagram. Photo: Miss Universe UAE

A new date has not been announced.

The names of 30 finalists were to be announced ahead of the historic coronation night, which was meant to name the first representative from the UAE at the global beauty pageant. Organisers have so far revealed the names of 25 contestants, which included three Emirati hopefuls, but have not posted any updates in two weeks.

Emirati models Marwa Al Hashemi, Ameera Alawadhi and Reem are among finalists at the first ever Miss Universe UAE pageant. Photo: Miss Universe UAE

Entry for the pageant was not limited to only UAE citizens. Josh Yugen, president and national director of Miss Universe UAE, told The National that the Miss Universe Organisation had modified the rules specially “to give everyone an opportunity”.

“So many of us call this country home and it will be such a matter of pride to be able to represent it on a global stage. It’s just logical,” he said.

The Miss Universe UAE website crashed hours after it went live, with a record 15,000 applicants, said Yugen, whose company Yugen Events has been chosen to select the first UAE representative for the global beauty contest.

On October 15, the applicants were shortlisted to 300 contestants at an audition in Dubai. Casting was split into two rounds, the first being a runway show where judges looked for the “X factor”. Contestants who impressed were then invited back for a second round and asked to answer a single question: “Why do you deserve to be a part of the history of the UAE?”

Entry for the pageant was open to all female residents between the ages of 18 and 28 who have lived in the UAE for more than three years.

Following the audition, 30 contestants were supposed to be named for the main event on Sunday. There, the first Miss Universe UAE was to be crowned, and they would then go on to represent the country at the global pageant, set to take place in December in the resort city of Eilat in Israel.

Scroll through the gallery below for behind-the-scenes photos of the Miss Universe UAE auditions:

Miss Universe UAE contenders at Bagatelle restaurant in Fairmont Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

The first casting on October 15 whittled down thousands of aspirants to 300

The panel of 10 judges, including Josh Yugen, president and national director of Miss Universe UAE, centre

The audition involved a strut down the runway and a Q&A round

Emirati contenders Aamna Alidi and Aya Albalooshi. The Miss Universe UAE competition is open to citizens and residents between 18 and 28 years of age

Each contestant was asked but the one question: 'Why do you deserve to be a part of the history of the UAE?'

The panellists interact with one of the contestants

Yugen said the judges are 'looking for someone who is the epitome of kindness'

By allowing all residents to participate, Miss Universe UAE hopes to promote 'inclusion and individuality'

The contenders include aspiring doctors and pilots, as well as models, students, cabin crew and martial artists

Of the 300 candidates, a shortlist of 30 will be revealed on October 20, while the final show will held at La Perle on November 7