Miss Universe 2018 made a landmark announcement this week, stating that for the first time in the pageant’s history, its upcoming competition will have an all-women panel of judges to determine this year’s winner.
In what is truly a monumental time for the event, two lucky women from the Arab region will take part in this year’s pageant: Miss Lebanon, Maya Reaidy, and Miss Egypt, Nariman Khaled. Out of 93 contestants, these two women will be the only Arabs competing in the 67th edition of the event that will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 16.
According to National, Lebanon’s representative, Reaidy, is a fifth-year pharmacy student at the Lebanese American University, and studied psychology for two years prior to that. Described as an active person who likes yoga, is fluent in English, Arabic, French, and Russian, and enjoys leading an Ayurvedic-centric lifestyle, Reaidy is also passionate about travelling as she believes it “helps her understand other cultures better, and gives her the opportunity to meet new people through her volunteer work.”
Khaled, who is representing Egypt, is a business information systems student, and also plays the ukulele. A resident of Hurghada, Khaled beat 17 other Egyptian candidates for the crown and the right to represent the North African nation at this year’s Miss Universe competition. Also someone who enjoys yoga and meditation, Khaled spends her free time volunteering with a number of NGOs in Egypt.
This year’s Miss Universe 2018 will be crowned by South Africa’s Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, and will receive an extraordinary prize package which includes: a year-long salary as Miss Universe; luxury accommodation in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; and a one-year supply of beauty products. This year’s panel of female judges is said to comprise entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts, according to a statement from the organization, which added that some of them are also former Miss Universe titleholders.
