Fresh from her coronation as Miss Universe Bahrain 2024, Shereen Ahmed is busy preparing for the upcoming final in Mexico later this month. In an exclusive interview with Woman This Month, she tells Farah Baig about her emotions after winning, her preparations for the upcoming pageant and how she plans to use her platform to inspire the next generation.
Congratulations on being crowned Miss Universe Bahrain 2024. How do you feel about winning and what inspired you to pursue this prestigious title?
Thank you! It has been an exhilarating few weeks since I found out I won the crown. I’m a little nervous for what’s to come, but ultimately excited to showcase the beauty of Bahrain’s culture and traditions to the rest of the Universe. Following my first stint in 2022, it always felt like there was unfinished business and that I could do more; however, the previous age limit of 28 years old had ended the dream of rejoining. During that time, I focused on my career as a TV presenter and found my love for pageantry through being inspired by a former Miss Universe Philippines candidate, Michelle Dee, whose journey spoke to me because she was advocacy-focused and intentional in her campaign. Then, the lifting of age limits was announced by the MU organisation, which felt like destiny was calling.
What did you learn from your first experience, and what changed the second time?
I assessed what went wrong with my previous performance and noted how I felt throughout it. Although I was somewhat prepared, I did not take into account the importance of training with others. So, in my second round, I reached out to have a Q&A and Personal Development coach, an online and in-person pasarela trainer, as well as professional pageant makeup artists and stylists to receive advice on the tricks of the trade. I was fortunate enough to have a network of very loving and supportive people. But above all, it was truly my mindset that needed a complete transformation. To exude grace and confidence, I needed to genuinely feel it internally. So, I listened to self-improvement podcasts, watched interviews of women I admired, and took action on the things I had been wanting to do because, as one of the pageant coaches I learned from said: “Confidence comes from certainty, and certainty comes from action.”
Could you give our readers some insight into your personal and professional background?
I am a 29-year-old TV host, journalist and model based between Dubai and Bahrain. I was raised by a single Filipina mom and loved growing up in Bahrain until I decided to study outside the country independently. I have a podcast called Loud Besties with my best friend, Hiedy Riyan, to help younger girls feel a sense of sisterhood as we discuss navigating life’s transitions from your 20s to your 30s.
After graduating from Middlesex University Dubai with a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Media, I interned and eventually secured a full-time role at Lovin Dubai as a content writer, social media manager and presenter. I later managed Lovin Saudi and briefly served as editor-in-chief of LocalBH. Upon returning to Dubai, I landed a gig as a presenter, speaking in English, Tagalog and some Arabic. In 2022, I placed as 2nd runner-up at Miss Universe Bahrain, and now, I am honoured to be Miss Universe Bahrain 2024.
Would you say your experience as a presenter and content creator has helped you in the pageant thus far?
Absolutely. Pageants nowadays require you to campaign for yourself and your country both offline and online. My background in content creation and my interest in creative outlets like photography and visuals helped me bring to life what I had always envisioned. Another requirement is to be able to use your voice as a brand ambassador for your country, your people and the philanthropies that matter most to you. In that regard, being a presenter meant I was already comfortable in front of the camera and only needed to work on being concise and truly knowing who I am and how I want to express that.
How do you feel the representation of Bahraini culture can be enhanced at the Miss Universe pageant?
I think the inclusion of Bahrain in the pageant for the fourth consecutive year, and hopefully more, is already generating gradual interest and awareness about the Kingdom. Pageantry is a huge platform, with 10 million viewers tuning into the competition annually. That’s 10 million pairs of eyes and ears on our country, and it is up to each delegate to represent Bahrain in the best way they see fit. Slow steps are still steps in the right direction.
How do you hope to further change the perception of women in the Middle East through the pageant?
By simply existing. It is not up to us to change the world’s perception of us; it is a collaboration of spaces opening their doors to Arab women and Arab women choosing to take up space in their respective platforms of choice. Middle Eastern women come from diverse backgrounds, religions and values, and our common denominator is that we accept, tolerate and respect one another – regardless of these differences.
Miss Universe takes place in Mexico this month. How are you preparing for the upcoming pageant, and how would you describe your emotions at this point?
My emotions have been varying since the coronation. Sometimes I’m elated, other times nervous, but mostly I am focused on one task at a time. As a candidate with limited time to prepare, there is a lot to do in a short amount of time – pasarela training, more Q&A practice, advocacy work, creating social media content leading up to the pageant, and building awareness through media. Apart from that, I’ve also been practicing my makeup application, hairstyling, creating mood boards for my outfits, and familiarising myself with the beautiful country of Mexico.
Can you share some causes that you are particularly passionate about? How do you plan to use your platform to promote them?
My primary causes are Hope Amel UAE and Hope Amal Bahrain, as well as any other community or social cause that pertains to the well-being of our fellow Arab brothers and sisters. I am there to either lend a helping hand or to use my voice.
What would be your advice for young women as someone who will be representing the country on a global scale?
Do not ever allow society to dictate who you are and what you can and cannot do. Every waking moment of this life is precious, so live as true to yourself as you can. You won’t regret it.
What’s something about you that always seems to surprise people?
It’s probably that I can speak Tagalog fluently. Many won’t assume that I am half Filipina at first glance, so it gets quite a reaction whenever I do.
Finally, what are your aspirations beyond the Miss Universe pageant?
Short-term, I want to start a digital show that highlights mental health and tools to help people navigate it or anything within the wellness industry. Mentoring future Miss Universe Bahrain or Middle Eastern candidates is another goal, as I hope for greater and better representation for our Kingdom. Lastly, I would love to host a web series in English, exploring the rich history and culture of Bahrain in documentary format, all the way up to its modern-day successes.
Long-term, I plan to write a book, starting with a collection of poetry I’ve written from my youth until my 30s. In the future, I aim to write either a novel or an autobiography. My biggest dream as a little girl was to be a writer, and although I achieved that professionally, I have yet to publish an actual book under my byline. Additionally, it would be a dream come true to study Archaeology or Egyptology and uncover treasures from the past.
