Who is Yasmina Zaytoun, the journalism student crowned Miss Lebanon 2022?

Miss Lebanon 2018 Maya Reaidy crowns Yasmina Zaytoun, winner of the 2022 pageant, in Beirut. EPA

Ms Zaytoun, 20, a journalism student from Kfarchouba, won the modified title of 'We Miss Lebanon', a nod to Lebanon’s prolonged adversity. EPA

This was the first Miss Lebanon pageant to take place since 2018. Reuters

Other contestants celebrate with Ms Zaytoun. EPA

The event was held in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Tourism. EPA

Seventeen women competed for a grand prize of $100,000 and the chance to compete in the Miss World and Miss Universe competitions. EPA

Contestants pose in swimsuits during the competition. EPA

The event was coloured by a touch of nostalgia and longing for a return to normality for the struggling nation. EPA

Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram performs during the pageant. EPA

Ajram started with a rendition of 'Ila Beirut Al Ontha' in a tribute to the Lebanese capital. EPA

She also performed 'Salmat Salamat' and her new song, 'Sah Sah'. EPA

A band perform on stage during the contest. AP

The pageant is part of a campaign to bring more tourism to the struggling country. AP

Contestants pose in their gowns during the contest. AP

Yasmina Zaytoun was crowned Miss Lebanon 2022 in a glittering ceremony in Beirut on Sunday. The pageant was the first to take place since 2018.

"I did it," Zaytoun, 20, wrote on Instagram, celebrating being declared the winner. She will now compete in both the Miss World 2022 and Miss Universe 2022 pageants, which will take place later this year.

Zaytoun, who is from Kfarchouba, a village in southern Lebanon, is a journalism student, studying at Notre Dame University — Louaize. She is currently in the third year of her course.

As well as doing some modelling, she hosts the With Yasmina Show on Instagram, which she describes as an educational show and on which she interviews notable Lebanese media and sport personalities. Guests have included TV presenter Lana Daoud, politician Paula Yacoubian, and actress and influencer Enjy Kiwan, to name a few. She's also recently created a series on happiness.

"This is the best thing that happened in my life ... my dream has finally come true," Zaytoun said on stage, after being crowned Miss Lebanon. "I dedicate my victory to my parents, for sure."

Zaytoun beat first runner-up, Maya Aboul Hosn; Jacintha Rached, who was named second runner-up; Lara Hraoui who came fourth; and Dalal Hoballah, who took fifth place.

Zaytoun was crowned by Maya Reaidy, who held the Miss Lebanon crown from 2018 to 2021.

For the pageant, her make-up was done by celebrity make-up artist Bassam Fattouh and Wassim Morkos styled her hair.

Fattouh, who has worked with singers Haifa Wehbe and Elissa, shared behind the scenes footage of Zaytoun in the make-up chair before heading to the stage for the final round.

The ceremony was hosted by Lebanese actress and television personality, Aimee Sayah.

Like the beauty queens, Sayah's make-up was done by Fattouh, her hair was styled by Tony El Mendelek and her dress was by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika.

The judging panel included Michel Fadel, musical composer; Karen Wazen, influencer; Mohamad Yehya from IP Studios; Karolina Bielawska, Miss World 2021; Nayla Tueni, general manager, An-Nahar and Annahar Arabi; Ivan Caracalla, dance theatre director; Hilda Khalife, TV host; and Samaya Chedrawi, Miss Lebanon 1993.

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