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Miss Universe

Melanie Shiraz, representing Israel at the Miss Universe pageant, is seen behind Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub, in November 2025. (Screen capture via Instagram, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
November 11, 2025, 1:04 pm
Misleading clip purports to show Miss Israel glaring at Miss Palestine, sparking uproar
Melanie Shiraz is met with violent threats after claims she gave side-eye to Nadeen Ayoub, despite not actually looking in her direction
By ToI Staff
Palestinian beauty queen Nadeen Ayoub (Video screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
August 19, 2025, 4:45 am
Miss Universe to debut Palestinian contestant this year
Nadeen Ayoub, 27, says she represents ‘every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see’
By ToI Staff
US Congressional candidate Sarah Idan (left), a former Miss Iraq, tours the Hamas-wrought destruction of Kfar Aza, December 28, 2023. (X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
December 30, 2023, 11:40 am
‘This was not about freeing Palestine’: Former Miss Iraq tours decimated southern towns
Running for US Congress, Sarah Idan, whose Iraqi citizenship was revoked in 2019 after she backed Israel at the UN, says she plans to be an ‘anti-squad’ Democrat
By ToI Staff
Emily Austin at the 71st Miss Universe competition in New Orleans on January 14, 2023. (Courtesy)
January 19, 2023, 3:03 am
Why an intern at Israel’s Mission to the UN judged this week’s Miss Universe pageant
At 21, social media star Emily Austin served as a judge at the annual beauty pageant, in between sports reporting gigs and an internship with Gilad Erdan’s team in New York
By Amy Spiro
Pop star Noa Kirel in her latest video, 'Thought About That' (Courtesy Noa Kirel Instagram)
January 18, 2022, 4:02 am
Israeli pop star Noa Kirel releases latest single with Samsung
‘Thought About That’ is singer’s newest English-language song, part of her effort to garner global attention
By Jessica Steinberg
Miss Universe contestants compete on stage in swimwear during the 70th Miss Universe competition in Eilat on December 13, 2021. (Benjamin Askinas/Miss Universe)
December 14, 2021, 6:24 pm
In 2021, should Miss Universe still be a thing? Those involved weigh in
The competition, hosted this year in Eilat, was the target of vocal criticism from those who view beauty pageants as outdated, sexist and damaging to young women
By Amy Spiro
Miss Universe contestants take part in a photoshoot in the Israeli desert on December 4, 2021. (Ronen Horesh/GPO)
December 14, 2021, 2:52 pm
Daily Briefing Dec. 14 – Miss Universe brings Israeli tourism to TV screens
Reporter Amy Spiro discusses the Miss Universe pageant in Eilat and Carrie Keller-Lynn looks at 2 Tel Aviv issues: the Givat Amal neighborhood’s evacuation, and EV infrastructure
By ToI Staff
India's Harnaaz Sandhu waves after being crowned Miss Universe 2021 during the 70th Miss Universe pageant, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, in Eilat, Israel. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
December 13, 2021, 6:21 am
Israel’s beauty on full display as India takes the crown at Miss Universe in Eilat
‘Tonight we are in the beautiful country of Israel,’ host Steve Harvey tells hundreds of millions of viewers in 172 countries who tuned in for live TV broadcast from Eilat
By Amy Spiro
Israeli Miss Universe contestant Noa Cochva. (Benjamin Askinas/Miss Universe)
December 13, 2021, 2:06 am
Israel’s contestant faints during Miss Universe rehearsal
Noa Cochva receives medical treatment and is expected to recover in time to participate in event that kicks off in Eilat early Monday morning Israel time
By Amy Spiro
Nandita Banna, Miss Singapore, Veronika Ščepánková, Miss Slovak Republic, Lalela Mswane, Miss South Africa and Sarah Loinaz, Miss Spain, take part in the preliminary competition of the Miss Universe pageant in Eilat on December 10, 2021. (Benjamin Askinas/Miss Universe)
December 12, 2021, 10:41 pm
Battered by COVID, Eilat hopes Miss Universe will help revitalize tourism
The 70th pageant will kick off early Monday morning in Israel, despite the Omicron variant’s travel hindrances — and local criticism
By Amy Spiro
From left to right: Efrat Duvdevani, Director General of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation; Israeli actress Esti Zakheim, who hosted the 'Miss Fix the Universe' event, Einat Fischer Lalo, Director of the Israel Women’s Network. (Sivan Shachor)
December 12, 2021, 6:16 pm
Miss Fix the Universe: Alternative ‘pageant’ in Israel highlights beauty of ideas
Part-protest competition organized by Israel Women’s Network awards prizes for social entrepreneurship
By Ricky Ben-David
Miss Universe contestants visit the Tower of David Museum in the Old City of Jerusalem ahead of the December 12 70th Miss Universe pageant to be held in Eilat (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
December 11, 2021, 6:25 pm
Israel’s Miss Universe organizers say they tried to keep swimwear out, were rebuffed
Production manager says local team knows ‘things need to change,’ but suggestion to have contestants go up on stage in sportswear was rejected
By ToI Staff
Contestants of the 2021 Miss Universe pageant enjoy a sunny day on a beach at the Dead Sea on December 1, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
December 9, 2021, 9:54 pm
The beautiful face of regional peace: Miss Universe contestants descend on Israel
With Miss Bahrain making a debut at the competition in Eilat and Miss Morocco returning for the first time since 1978, the beauty pageant showcases new regional ties
By Amy Spiro
Clémence Botino, Miss Universe 2021 contestant from France. (Miss Universe)
December 8, 2021, 2:48 pm
After 10 days, Miss Universe contender who contracted COVID cleared to compete
Miss France Clemence Botino allowed to take part in the contest in Eilat this weekend after being pronounced virus-free
By Amy Spiro
Contestants of the Miss Universe pageant visit the Tower of David Museum in the ancient citadel of Jerusalem near the Jaffa Gate entrance to Jerusalem's Old City, on November 30, 2021. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
December 8, 2021, 4:54 am
Puerto Rican Miss Universe contestant reveals great-grandfather survived Holocaust
In Israel for the competition, Michelle Marie Colon surprises fellow contestants and Holocaust museum officials in revealing her heritage during visit to Yad Vashem
By Ron Kampeas
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