Breaking Barriers: Meet Rumy Alqahtani, Saudi Arabia's First Miss Universe Contestant

Saudi model Rumy Al-Qahtani participated in the second edition of the Miss & Mrs Global Asian beauty pageant in Malaysia earlier this year. Though Singapore’s Jessica Long was crowned Miss Global Asian 2024  and Philippines’ Dyan Shane Mag Abo claimed the Mrs Global Asian 2024, the Saudi model caught the eye of social media.

Al-Qahtani, with 870,000 Instagram followers, shared updates on her pageant journey, showcasing various looks from elegant gowns to traditional Saudi attire. The competition, which concluded on January 27, featured 25 contestants from 12 countries, led to a surge in popularity for the Saudi model following the event.

Miss Universe

Saudi Arabia is now set to debut in the Miss Universe pageant with Rumy Alqahtani, 27, announced as the representative. Her participation marks a milestone for Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe pageant, following the footsteps of Lujane Yacoub from Hamala, who represented the GCC region last year.

After the Saudi announcement, Alqahtani expressed her excitement to represent the Kingdom on the global stage. Born in Riyadh, she is a model and content creator. Alqahtani’s pageant journey includes titles such as Miss Saudi Arabia, Miss Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Miss Arab World Peace 2021, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia).

She has participated in various categories, showcasing elegance and poise consistently, according to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. With a significant presence on Instagram, Alqahtani has amassed a million followers, along with activity on other platforms like X and Snapchat. Her posts reflect her travels worldwide, from the UAE to Egypt and Italy.

Beyond her pageant pursuits, Alqahtani shares glimpses of her affinity for luxury jewelry and designer fashion on her Instagram. From Cartier’s Love bracelet to Bulgari’s Diva Dreams collection, she incorporates the finer things into her lifestyle. Family plays a significant role in Alqahtani’s life, as seen through her social media posts featuring her sisters, Razan and Gedai.