Overview
- A short video from a Miss Universe event in Thailand showed Melanie Shiraz briefly glance toward Nadeen Ayoub, prompting online claims of a hostile look.
- Shiraz denied any animosity, saying she was looking toward other contestants entering the stage, in a comment shared from her Instagram.
- The Miss Universe Organization called reports of a hostile gesture false and misleading.
- Social media users flooded Shiraz’s accounts with critical and abusive comments that tied the moment to the Israel–Gaza conflict.
- The pageant is moving toward its November 21 final in Bangkok, with Ayoub competing as the first Miss Palestine and recent delegate protests adding to tensions around the event.