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The new-Miss Universe Bahrain, Lujane Yacoub, aims to use the global beauty pageant platform to continue empowering children, inspiring women, helping the less fortunate and making the kingdom she loves proud.
Joyous and still shocked over her victory, Lujaine caught up with GulfWeekly as soon as the competition was over to share her thoughts, gratitude and hopes for the future.
“When I heard about the Miss Universe Bahrain competition this year, I didn’t actually plan on returning,” said the Bahrain High School graduate, who will be flying out next year to the UK to attend the University for Creative Arts in Farnham. She is a long-standing member of the National Honours Society and has earned a gold medal and other accolades for her theatre work. “But after some consideration,” she continued, “I knew that I wanted the opportunity to stand on the Miss Universe stage and represent Bahrain.”
For those that don’t know, Lujane actually grew up with a processing disorder and was failing most subjects before being properly diagnosed in fourth grade. Her dance and drawings got her through those dark times and made her realise that she could succeed creatively, maybe, in life as well. She aims to pass this idea on to other children who might be going through the same problem, hence, she voluntarily teaches art classes to children at The Adel Salman Kanoo ‘Space’ led by the Bahrain Trust Foundation every week.
She has also worked with unregistered charities such as A Box of Goodness and We Care Bahrain, and even helps support animals at the Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre.
“While working on empowering children with art and community outreach, everything became much more clear for me,” added Lujane, who has modelled for several clothing, jewellery and car brands and been a part of many campaigns.
“It helped me realise that I have a beautiful opportunity to share all this on a global stage if I become Miss Universe, and represent mixed-women as well. I’m Arab-American which has been my power and struggle in life.
“With all that, who I am as a person and as a woman, I believed I deserved a second shot on this stage. And now, to have that crown and be Miss Universe Bahrain, it’s such an honour and I can’t wait to wave the flag of my country on the international stage.”
Soon she will be flying out to the Philippines to begin training for the 72nd annual Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador on November 18, where she will compete as a 19-year-old alongside other queens from around the world.
In the meantime, she will continue modelling and has been involved in several short films, including Hope by Ahmed Zayani. She has some more exciting film projects this year and should be eligible for her own IMDb page soon; giving her a shot at getting a proper agent while studying in England next year. She has also been invited to represent Bahrain at Creative Connections in Germany.
Lujane will, meanwhile, continue reaching out to the community, visiting her high school and teaching her art classes. She will have a collaborative art show at the Safeya Ali Kanoo Hub for Artists this month. She also hopes to work with children and spend her final moments in Bahrain with her family and friends.
The beauty queen is grateful to her artistic and creative mum Christy Burton and father, Yasser Yacoub, a civil engineer and managing director of a multinational architectural and engineering consulting firm, for always encouraging and supporting her every step of the way.
She is also thankful to Yugen PR and Josh for believing in her and helping her see her potential in being a leader.
“I have the chance to represent my country now,” said Lujane.
“I had learned a lot during my first year at the pageant, and it changed my life trajectory in a way and I am grateful for it. I think all women should try pageant training or entering a contest such as this at least once in their life. Thank you Josh and Ian for having faith in me and thank you Miss Universe Bahrain 2022 Evlin Khalifa for being such a role model to me. I hope to make all of you, my family, my friends, my communication coach Hamad Al Najar, and of course the kingdom very proud.”
For details, follow @lujaneyacoub and @missuniversebahrain on Instagram.
