Miss Universe pageant denies Saudi Arabia’s participation in contest

The Miss Universe pageant organizers have denied Saudi Arabia’s participation in the contest.

The statement from the organizers comes days after the Saudi model Rumy Alqahtani claimed that she is going to be the first participant of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe pageant.

The pageant in a statement said, “While Saudi Arabia is not yet among those countries fully confirmed participating this year, we are currently undergoing a rigorous vetting process qualifying a potential candidate to be awarded the franchise and assigned a national director to represent.”

“Saudi Arabia will not have this opportunity to join our prestigious pageant until this is final and confirmed by our approval committee,” the statement added.

 

The 2024 Miss Universe competition is scheduled to take place in Mexico in September.

Alqahtani has not yet removed her post nor has issued any response despite the official statement from the pageant.

Alqahtani, a seasoned beauty pageant contestant and influencer boasting a million-strong following on Instagram took to the social media platform on Monday to break the news.

“I am honored to participate in the Miss Universe 2024 competition. This is the debut of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the competition,” she wrote the caption in Arabic on her slider post featuring a set of photos. 

The model can be seen adorned in a strapless, sequined gown, wearing a tiara, and holding the green Saudi flag which bears the Kalma text.