Ever since he was named the UAE national director by the Mrs World Organisation in January, Jiss Victor has been working to realise one singular dream — to bring the crown home for the first time.
Earlier this year, Indian beauty queen Debanjali Kamstra became the first contestant to represent the UAE at the global pageant, held in Las Vegas. Kamstra, who funded herself for Mrs World 2021, made it to the top three at the pageant in January, which was won by Mrs American Shaylyn Ford. Mrs Jordan Jaclyn Stapp was named first runner-up.
Victor, a UAE fashion industry veteran, was named UAE national director soon after, following "more than six months of discussions". He is confident this year's contestant, Pamala Serena, will win the Mrs World 2022 title.
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Pamala Serena will represent the UAE at the Mrs World pageant in December. All photos: Jef Anog -
She follows in the footsteps of Debanjali Kamstra, the UAE's first Mrs World contestant -
Serena, who is of Indian descent, was born and raised in the UK, but has been living in Dubai for more than 10 years -
Serena is a psychology graduate who is also an ambassador of peace for the UN
"She is a born leader with a strong heart to work for women empowerment and special children. I am sure she will make UAE proud by winning the title," he tells The National.
Serena, a British business consultant, who is of Indian descent, was picked from 18 hopefuls to represent the UAE at the international pageant, to be held on Saturday and Sunday at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
"Mrs World judging categories count equally on poise, personality, beauty, evening gown and Active wear," Victor says. "We had selected the top four from the UAE contestants and had individual interviews, too. Pamala topped in all categories."
Unlike other global beauty pageants, Mrs World, which has been held since 1984, does not stipulate citizenship for contestants representing various countries, as long as they've been vetted and picked by an approved body or organisation.
A total of 60 countries will be represented at this year's pageant.
"Working with world's No 1 pageant for married women is so exciting, it's like a dream come true for me," says Victor.
"Pageants like Mrs World bring in lot a of opportunities for married women. But my main focus is to bring the world title to UAE."
Soon after the pageant, work will begin on selecting next year's UAE contestant, with registrations opening in March.
"We will be organising training programmes for the contestants. We are also actively involved in charitable projects for special children," Victor says. "We will be giving our finalists work opportunities, too. My main focus is to bring the world title to UAE."
All nationalities are welcome, as long as they are residents of the UAE, he says.
"This is the first time Mrs World started its official selection in the UAE and welcome everyone," says Victor. "I really hope next year we will have more Arab representatives."
Meet Debanjali Kamstra, the UAE's first Mrs World contestant — in pictures
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Kamstra, 35, an Indian businesswoman and mother-of-two, has called the UAE home for the past 14 years. All photos by Mahmoud Marei, Syed Kamran Ali unless stated otherwise -
Held since 1984, the Mrs World contest was cancelled in 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. -
From left: Mrs UAE World Debanjali Kamstra, Mrs World Shaylyn Ford and Mrs Jordan World Jaclyn Stapp. Ford won the Mrs World 2021 contest, while Mrs Jordan and Mrs UAE came in second and third, respectively. Photos: Mahmoud Marei, Instagram -
Debanjali Kamstra in her national costume, designed by Filipino talent Cary Santiago, in the preliminary rounds of Mrs World 2022. Photo: Debanjali Kamstra -
Debanjali Kamstra, the first Mrs UAE World, waves the UAE flag in the middle of Times Square in New York City, as she begins her journey to the US for the pageant. Photo: Debanjali Kamstra -
Debanjali Kamstra is the first beauty queen to represent the UAE. -
Kamstra has no previous modelling or beauty pageant experience. -
Kamstra came in third at Mrs World, which 'celebrates the uniqueness of married women'. -
Former cabin crew with Emirates airline, Kamstra is also an architect and opened the interior design company Veloche in Dubai a decade ago. -
As there has never been a Mrs UAE World before, Kamstra says her preparations for the contest were entirely self-funded. -
Kamstra married her husband, Christiaan, in 2012 and the couple live in Dubai with their two daughters, Victoria, 6, and Tiffany, 5. -
Kamstra says she now hopes to bring Mrs World to the UAE. -
Kamstra says she would like to be a part of setting up an organisation that works to send participants to the Mrs World competition in the future.
