Egypt’s Logina Salah Makes History at Miss Egypt Universe 2024

In a landmark moment for Egypt, Logina Salah—a model, TV presenter, and makeup artist—broke new ground at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, becoming the first Egyptian contestant to ever reach the top 30 finalists in the competition’s 73-year history.

Held in Mexico City on November 17, the event saw over 120 contestants from around the globe compete for the crown. The title ultimately went to Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, marking a historic first win for her country. But for Egypt, the night belonged to Salah.

Redefining Beauty Standards

At 34, Salah’s journey to the global stage was anything but conventional. Living with vitiligo, a skin condition that causes loss of pigmentation, she faced years of bullying growing up. Instead of hiding, she turned her experience into a mission—using her platform to challenge traditional standards of beauty and promote acceptance.

“I don’t speak about vitiligo every day,” she told Bazaar, “but living my life with confidence is its own kind of message.”

Salah leads the Beyond The Surface Movement, a campaign dedicated to social awareness and skin positivity. With a strong following online, she uses her voice to inspire people—particularly women and girls—to embrace their uniqueness.

A New Chapter in Pageant History

The Miss Universe competition has recently undergone rule changes aimed at increasing inclusivity—changes that Salah credits for making her participation possible. “The world is becoming more accepting,” she shared with Arab News, reflecting on how she once put her pageant dreams on hold to raise her daughter.

Now, with her child cheering her on, Salah has achieved what many before her could not: global recognition in a space historically reserved for narrow definitions of beauty.

Building on a Legacy

While Egypt’s appearances at Miss Universe have been sporadic, previous contestants like Diana Hamed—Miss Egypt Universe 2019—have also left their mark. Although Hamed did not place in the finals, she described her experience as transformative, opening doors to friendships and personal growth.

Salah’s groundbreaking finish may now mark the beginning of a more visible Egyptian presence in international pageantry, inspiring future contestants to step forward with confidence and pride.

More Than a Crown

Beyond the glamour of the competition, Salah's story is rooted in resilience, empowerment, and motherhood. In a heartfelt post, she wrote, “Being your mom will always be my greatest achievement, before any title or anything I have in my life.”

As the spotlight shines brighter on Egypt’s role in global beauty forums, Salah stands as a symbol of strength and change—proof that representation is not just about visibility, but about rewriting the narrative entirely.