First Saudi contestant likely in Miss Universe contest

Rumy al-Qahtani is set to become the first Saudi Arabia contestant to participate in the Miss Universe contest later this year.

The Miss Universe Organisation “is currently undergoing a rigorous vetting process qualifying a potential candidate to be awarded the Saudi Arabia franchise”, coordinator Maria Jose Unda told AFP.

“We’ll have a decision on the National Director for Saudi Arabia very, very soon,” she said, noting it was “possible” for Saudi Arabia to have a contestant in place before the next edition of the competition, scheduled for September in Mexico.

Back in March, Model Rumy al-Qahtani created a buzz after announcing her participation in the contest on Instagram.

The post included pictures of Rumy, a 27-year-old native of Riyadh, in a sequined dress holding the green Saudi flag inscribed with the shahada, or Islamic creed.

However, Miss Universe organisers clarified that termed the statement “false and misleading” saying no selection process had been carried out in the Gulf kingdom.

Fielding a Miss Universe candidate, if it happens, would mark another step in Saudi Arabia’s effort to soften its ultra-conservative image as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler, tries to lure tourists and investors.

However, while speaking to AFP, Rumy maintained she was in “negotiations” with the event organisers.

“I have been contacted by the Miss Universe committee to represent Saudi Arabia. Negotiations started but it was during the month of Ramadan and I wasn’t able to respond,” she told AFP in her first interview since her March Instagram post went viral.

“We are still negotiating, and hopefully it will result in a happy ending.”