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Miss Lebanon

Miss Lebanon
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersBeirut
First edition1930
Most recent edition2024
Current titleholderNada Koussa
LanguageArabic

Miss Lebanon (Arabic: ملكة جمال لبنان, romanized: Malikat Jamāl Lubnān, lit. 'Queen of Beauty of Lebanon') is the national beauty pageant of Lebanon. The winner is a representative of the Ministry of Tourism and is sent to represent Lebanon at Miss Universe and Miss World.

History

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Since 1995, the pageant has been broadcast on Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), with the exception of Miss Lebanon 2018 which was broadcast on MTV Lebanon. It is currently organized by Vanilla Productions, which is owned by Rola Saad. Since 2018, former Miss USA Rima Fakih has been in charge of preparing the winner for Miss Universe.

The pageant has been canceled a few times due to civil wars, conflicts with Israel and economic crises. The Miss Lebanon Organization awards its winner prizes totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a representative of the Ministry of Tourism, it is customary that the winner meets with the President of Lebanon following her crowning, in addition to other high-ranking officials.

Format

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Nadine Nassib Njeim, Miss Lebanon 2004
Valerie Abou Chacra, Miss Lebanon 2015

Every year, the Miss Lebanon pageant takes on a different number of contestants. Previously, the pageant has taken the form of multiple episodes, and a reality television show.

Below is an outline of the number of contestants and venue of the Miss Lebanon pageant in recent years:

Year Miss Lebanon Contestants Venue
2000 Sandra Rizk 22 Casino du Liban
2001 Christina Sawaya 20 Casino du Liban
2003 Marie-José Hnein 16 LBC Centre
2004 Nadine Nassib Njeim 16 LBC Centre
2005 Gabrielle Bou Rached 30 Casino du Liban
2007 Nadine Wilson Njeim 18 Casino du Liban
2008 Rosarita Tawil 18 LBC Centre
2009 Martine Andraos 16 LBC Centre
2010 Rahaf Abdallah 16 LBC Centre
2011 Yara Khoury-Mikhael 16 Beirut Souks
2012 Rina Chibany 16 Platea Theatre
2013 Karen Ghrawi 15 Beirut Leisure Centre
2014 Saly Greige 14 Casino du Liban
2015 Valerie Abou Chacra 14 Casino du Liban
2016 Sandy Tabet[1] 15 Casino du Liban
2017 Perla Helou 15 Casino du Liban
2018 Maya Reaidy 30 Forum de Beyrouth
2022 Yasmina Zaytoun[2] 17 Forum de Beyrouth
2024 Nada Koussa 15 Seaside Arena Beirut

International crowns

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Titleholders

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The winner of Miss Lebanon represents her country at the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent. Previously, in some instances the winner has also competed at the Miss International pageant.
Year Miss Lebanon
1930 Leila Zoghby
1935 Jamila Al Khalil
1952 Leila Saroufim
1953 Hania Beydun
1958 Hind Skaff
1960 Gladys Tabet
1961 Leila Antaki
1962 Nouhad El Cabbabe
1964 Nana Barakat
1965 Yolla Georges Harb
1966 Marlène Talih
1967 Sonia Fares
1968 Lilly Bissar
1969 Georgette Gerro
1970 Georgina Rizk
Miss Universe 1971
1971 Christiane Accaoui
1972 Marcelle Herro
1973 Sylvia Ohannessian
1974 Gisèle Hachem
1975 Ramona Karam
1977 Vera Alouane
1978 Katia Fakhry
1979 Jocelyne Daou
1980 Denise Sfeir
1981 Suzanne Bou Nader
1982 Dolly Michel Khoury
1983 Sylvia Hobeika
1984 Reine Philip Barakat
1985 Mary Khoury
1986 Gina Issa
1987 Josiane Haddad
1988 Colette Boulos
1991 Diana Begdache
1992 Nicole Bardawil
1993 Ghada El Turk
1994 Lara Badawi
1995 Dina Azar
1996 Nisrine Sami Naser
1997 Joëlle Behlock
1998 Clémence Achkar
1999 Norma Elias Naoum
2000 Sandra Rizk
2001 Christina Sawaya
Miss International 2002
2003 Marie-José Hnein
2004 Nadine Nassib Njeim
2005 Gabrielle Bou Rached
2007 Nadine Wilson Njeim
2008 Rosarita Tawil
2009 Martine Andraos
2010 Rahaf Abdallah
2011 Yara Khoury-Mikhael
2012 Rina Chibany
2013 Karen Ghrawi
2014 Sally Greige
2015 Valerie Abou Chacra
2016 Sandy Tabet
2017 Perla Helou
2018 Maya Reaidy
2022 Yasmina Zaytoun
2024 Nada Koussa

Titleholders under Miss Lebanon org.

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The Miss Lebanon winner competes at the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants. On occasion, a runner-up is sent. Here International pageants under Miss Lebanon Organization; Miss Lebanon and Miss Lebanon Emigrant who will go to Miss International pageant.

The following women represented Lebanon in the Big Four international beauty pageants, the four major international beauty pageants for women.[3] These are Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss International[4][5][6]

Miss Universe Lebanon

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  •   : Declared as Winner
  •   : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Ended as special awards winner
Year Hometown Miss Lebanon Placement at Miss Universe Special Awards Notes
Pierre El Daher (chairman of LBCI) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe from 2022: Rima Fakih was appointed by Miss Universe Organization as National director of Lebanon.
2024 Akkar Nada Koussa Unplaced
2023 Btekhnay Maya Aboul Hosn Unplaced
  • Voice For Change (Silver Winner)
 Since no pageant in 2023, a runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2022, Maya, was appointed by Miss Lebanon Committee to compete at Miss Universe 2023 in El Salvador.
2022 Kfarchouba Yasmina Zaytoun Unplaced
Gabriel Murr (chairman of MTV) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2017―2018: Rima Fakih was appointed by Miss Universe Organization as National director of Lebanon.
Did not compete between 2019—2021
2018 Tannourine Maya Reaidy Unplaced The Miss Lebanon program returned to MTV Lebanon, and Miss Lebanon winner competed at Miss Universe 2018.
2017 Beirut Jana Sader Unplaced Sader was appointed by MTV Lebanon, since Miss Lebanon competition is the only one national pageant in Lebanon and the main winner in 2017 competed at Miss World 2017. Sader was a runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2017.
Pierre El Daher (chairman of LBCI) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1999―2016
2016 Beirut Sandy Tabet Did not compete Miss Lebanon 2016 was unable to compete at Miss Universe 2016 after MTV Lebanon franchised the Miss Universe license; they didn't send her and didn't even send a delegate that year.
2015 Beirut Cynthia Samuel Unplaced Samuel was appointed by Miss Lebanon Committee to compete at Miss Universe 2015, since the main winner allocated to Miss World 2015 in China. Samuel was a runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2015.
2014 Bishmizzine Saly Greige Unplaced
2013 Beirut Karen Ghrawi Unplaced
2012 Zahlé Rina Chibany Unplaced The first twin who won Miss Lebanon in history.
2011 Beirut Yara Khoury-Mikhael Unplaced
2010 Beirut Rahaf Abdallah Unplaced
2009 Beirut Martine Andraos Unplaced
2008 Beirut Rosarita Tawil Did not compete
2007 Maaser El Shouf Nadine Wilson Njeim Unplaced
2006 Jezzine Gabrielle Bou Rached Unplaced
2005 Beirut Nadine Nassib Njeim Unplaced
2004 Beirut Marie-José Hnein Unplaced
Did not compete in 2003
2002 Bourj Hammoud Christina Sawaya Did not compete Decided to drop out of the competition after stating that she would not compete in a pageant with Miss Israel.
2001 Beirut Sandra Rizk Unplaced
2000 Beirut Norma Elias Naoum Unplaced
1999 Beirut Clémence Achkar Unplaced
  • Best National Costume (2nd Runner-up)
 Miss Lebanon Committee retook the Miss Universe license and the winner of Miss Lebanon returned to Miss Universe began 1999 (Trump era).
Gabriel Murr (chairman of MTV) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1997―1998: Miss Universe Lebanon (independent selection) held and the winner competed at Miss Universe pageant in several years.
1998 Beirut Nina Kaddis Unplaced Appointed — The 3rd Runner-up of Miss Universe Lebanon 1997 appointed to represent Lebanon after the Miss Universe Lebanon did not happen in 1998.
1997 Beirut Dalida Chammai Unplaced
Pierre El Daher (chairman of LBC) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1991―1996: Miss Universe Lebanon (independent selection) held and the winner competed at Miss Universe pageant in several years.
1996 Beirut Julia Syriani Unplaced
Did not compete between 1994—1995
1993 Beirut Samaya El Chedrawi Unplaced
  • Best National Costume (1st Runner-up)
1992 Beirut Abir El Sharrouf Unplaced
1991 Beirut Fida El Chehayeb Unplaced
Ministry of Tourism in Lebanon directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1980―1988: Miss Universe Lebanon (independent selection) held and the winner competed at Miss Universe pageant in several years.
Did not compete between 1989—1990
1988 Beirut Elaine Georges Fakhoury Unplaced
1987 Beirut Sahar El Haydar Unplaced
1986 Beirut Reine Philip Barakat Unplaced
1985 Beirut Joyce Sahab Unplaced
1984 Beirut Marie Ibrahim Unplaced
1983 Beirut May Mansour Chahwan Unplaced
Raymond Loir (a founder of Miss Lebanon) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1955―1980: Miss Lebanon Committee was founded in 1960 by Raymond Loir, President of Foreign Press in the Middle East, press correspondent (Paris Match, France-Dimanche, Ici Paris, Écrits de Paris, Rivarol, Aspects de France, etc.). Following his death in 1980, a Ministry of Tourism in Lebanon took over the license.
Did not compete between 1979—1982
1978 Beirut Renée Antoine Seman Unplaced
1977 Beirut Hyam Saadé Unplaced
  • Best National Costume (2nd Runner-up)
Did not compete in 1976
1975 Beirut Suad El Nachoul Unplaced
1974 Beirut Laudy Slim Gabache Unplaced
Raymond Loir (a founder of Miss Lebanon) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1955―1980: Between 1955 and 1973 Miss Lebanon winners represented Lebanon at Miss Universe competition.
1973 Beirut Marcèlle Herro Top 12
1972 Beirut Christians Accaoui Did not compete
1971 Beirut Georgina Rizk Miss Universe 1971
1970 Beirut Georgette Gero Unplaced
1969 Beirut Lilly Bissar Did not compete
1968 Beirut Sonia Fares Unplaced
1967 Beirut Marlène Talih Did not compete
1966 Beirut Yolla Georges Harb Unplaced
1962 Beirut Nouhad El Cabbabe Top 15
1961 Beirut Leila Antaki Unplaced
1960 Beirut Gládys Tabet Unplaced
Did not compete between 1956—1959
1955 Beirut Hania Beydun Unplaced In 1955 the Miss Universe Lebanon was appointed by Raymond Loir. Hania was Miss Lebanon 1953 who did not compete internationally in her reign.

Miss World Lebanon

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  •   : Declared as Winner
  •   : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Ended as special awards winner
Year Hometown Miss World Lebanon Placement at Miss World Special Awards Notes
Pierre El Daher (chairman of LBCI) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World from 2023
2025 Akkar Nada Koussa TBA
Miss World 2023 was rescheduled to 2024 due to the change of host and when entering India as the new host, there were several issues that caused the postponement until March 2024.
2023 Kfarchouba Yasmina Zaytoun 1st Runner up
Gabriel Murr (chairman of MTV) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2017―2018
Did not compete between 2019—2022
2018 Beirut Mira Al-Toufaily Unplaced
  • Head to head challenge
  • Beauty With A Purpose (Top 12)
 Appointed — The 1st Runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2018 took over the Miss World Lebanon title since the original winner will only compete at Miss Universe 2018.
Pierre El Daher (chairman of LBCI) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World between 1991―2017
2017 Baabda Perla Helou Top 40
2016 Beirut Sandy Tabet Unplaced
2015 Beirut Valerie Abou Chacra Top 5
2014 Bishmizzine Saly Greige Unplaced
2013 Beirut Karen Ghrawi Unplaced
2012 Baabda Sonia-Lynn Gabriel Unplaced Appointed — The 2nd Runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2011.
2011 Beirut Yara Khoury-Mikhael Unplaced
2010 Beirut Rahaf Abdallah Unplaced
2009 Beirut Martine Andraos Unplaced
2008 Beirut Rosarita Tawil Unplaced
2007 Maaser El Chouf Nadine Wilson Njeim Unplaced
2006 Ain El Remmaneh Annabella Hilal Top 17
  • World Dress Designer Award (Top 20)
 Appointed — The 1st Runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2006.
2005 Beirut Lamitta Frangieh Unplaced Appointed — The 1st Runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2004.
2004 Beirut Nadine Nassib Njeim Unplaced
2003 Beirut Marie-José Hnein Top 20
2002 — Bethany Kehdy Unplaced Appointed — The 1st Runner-up of Miss Lebanon 2001.
2001 Bourj Hammoud Christina Sawaya Unplaced
2000 Beirut Sandra Rizk Unplaced
1999 Beirut Norma Elias Naoum Unplaced
1998 Beirut Clémence Achkar Unplaced
1997 Beirut Joëlle Behlock Top 10
1996 — Nisrine Sami Nasr Unplaced
1995 Beirut Julia Syriani Unplaced Julia was Miss Universe Lebanon winner under LBC (allocated to compete in 1996), she also appointed, since the Miss Lebanon winner (under LBC) enabled to compete at Miss World competition.
1994 — Lara Badawi Unplaced
1993 Beirut Ghada El Turk Unplaced
1992 Beirut Nicole Bardawil Unplaced
1991 Beirut Diana Begdache Unplaced
Ministry of Tourism in Lebanon directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World between 1980―1988
Did not compete between 1989—1990
1988 Beirut Sylvia Hobeika Unplaced Appointed ― one of runners-up of Miss Lebanon.
1987 Beirut Josiane Haddad Unplaced
1986 Beirut Mireille Abi Fares Unplaced Appointed ― one of runners-up of Miss Lebanon.
1985 Beirut Mary Khoury Unplaced
1984 Beirut Elaine Khoury Unplaced Appointed ― one of runners-up of Miss Lebanon.
1983 Beirut Dochka Abi Nader Unplaced Appointed ― one of runners-up of Miss Lebanon.
1982 Beirut May Mansour Chahwan Unplaced Appointed ― one of runners-up of Miss Lebanon.
1981 Beirut Zeina Joseph Challita Unplaced
Raymond Loir (a founder of Miss Lebanon) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss World between 1960―1980: Miss Lebanon Committee was founded in 1960 by Raymond Loir, President of Foreign Press in the Middle East, press correspondent (Paris Match, France-Dimanche, Ici Paris, Écrits de Paris, Rivarol, Aspects de France, etc.). Following his death in 1980, a Ministry of Tourism in Lebanon took over the license.
1980 Beirut Céleste Elias Asal Unplaced Appointed ― one of runners-up of Miss Lebanon.
1979 Beirut Jacqueline Daou Unplaced
Did not compete in 1978
1977 Beirut Vera Alouane Unplaced
Did not compete in 1976
1975 Beirut Ramona Karam Top 15
1974 Beirut Gisèle Hachem Unplaced
1973 Beirut Sylvia Ohannessian Top 15
Did not compete between 1971—1972
1970 Beirut Georgina Rizk Unplaced
1969 Beirut Rola Mayzoub Unplaced Appointed ― one of runners-up of Miss Lebanon.
Did not compete in 1968
1967 Beirut Sonia Fares Unplaced
1966 Beirut Marlène Talih Unplaced
1965 Beirut Yolla Georges Harb Unplaced
1964 — Nana Barakat Unplaced
Did not compete between 1962—1963
1961 Beirut Leila Antaki Unplaced
1960 — Gisèle Nicholas Naser Unplaced Appointed ― one of runners-up of Miss Lebanon.

Miss Lebanon Emigrant

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  •   : Declared as Winner
  •   : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Ended as special awards winner
Year Country of origin Miss Lebanon Emigrant Placement at Miss International Special Awards Notes
Pierre El Daher (chairman of LBCI) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss International between 1997―2018: Started in 2007 the main winner of Miss Lebanon Emigrant under LBCI goes to Miss International competition.
Did not compete since 2019—Present
2018 Australia Rachel Younan Unplaced
2017 Cote d'Ivoire Dima Safi Unplaced
2016 Mexico Stephanie Dash Karam Unplaced
2015 Australia Cynthia Farah Unplaced
2014 UAE Lia Saad Unplaced
2013 Australia Layla Yarak Unplaced
2012 Kuwait Cynthia Moukarzel Unplaced
2011 Canada Maria Farah Top 15
2010 Australia Daniella Rahmé Unplaced
2009 Brazil Sarah Barbosa Mansour Unplaced
2008 Australia Jessica Michelle Kahawaty Top 12 Later than Miss International 2008, Kahawaty went to Australia and won Miss World Australia 2012. At Miss World she placed as the 2nd Runner-up.
2007 — Grace Beyani Unplaced
Did not compete since 2005—2006
2004 — Nathalie Nasrallah Unplaced
Did not compete in 2003
2002 Bourj Hammoud Christina Sawaya Miss International 2002
Did not compete in 2001
2000 — Sahar El Ghazzawi Unplaced
1999 Beirut Clémence Achkar Unplaced
Did not compete in 1998
1997 — Nisrine Sami Naser Unplaced
Raymond Loir (a founder of Miss Lebanon) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss International between 1960―1977: Miss Lebanon Committee was founded in 1960 by Raymond Loir, President of Foreign Press in the Middle East, press correspondent (Paris Match, France-Dimanche, Ici Paris, Écrits de Paris, Rivarol, Aspects de France, etc.). Following his death in 1980, a Ministry of Tourism in Lebanon took over the license.
Did not compete between 1978—1996
1977 — Katia Fakhry Unplaced
Did not compete in 1976
1975 — Ramona Karam Unplaced
Did not compete between 1963—1974
1962 — Mona Slim Unplaced
1961 ― Éleonore Abi Karam Unplaced
1960 — Juliana Reptsik Unplaced

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Interview Miss Lebanon 2016". Prestige Magazine. 2016-10-27.
  2. ^ "Yasmina Zaytoun Crowned Miss Lebanon 2022". Beirut.com. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  3. ^ Jun, Kwanwoo (2003-12-03). "Lost in Storm's Debris: A Beauty Pageant". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  4. ^ "Những scandal của Miss World". Vietnam Express. 2008-10-08. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  5. ^ Ibrahim, Lynda (2013-09-13). "The misses and missuses of the world". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  6. ^ Lowe, Aya (2016-01-25). "Philippines' Miss Universe returns home, ignites dreams". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
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