Maya Reaidy (Lebanon)

Maya Reaidy (born 14 November 1995) is a Lebanese model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Lebanon 2018. She will represent Lebanon at the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand. Reaidy was born and raised in Tannourine. She is an only child. She went to Jesus and Mary Collège, then to an Evangelical School in Lebanon. She is a fifth year Pharmacy student at Lebanese American University in Beirut and has completed two years of psychology at the American University of Beirut prior. She speaks four languages fluently : English, Arabic, French and Russian. She has a Lebanese father and a Russian mother. Reaidy is an accomplished ballet dancer, enjoys practicing yoga and declares herself to be a vegetarian. She credited Amal Clooney as being one of the inspiring public figures she admires the most for her fight for women's rights. Reaidy was crowned as Miss Lebanon 2018 held at the Forum de Beyrouth on September 30, 2018 and broadcast on MTV (Lebanon). At the question round, Reaidy was asked by composer Guy Manoukian what makes her different from other candidates. She replied: What sets me apart from other candidates is that I am a diplomatic person. I try to understand people instead of criticizing. This sets me apart especially in today's society. In the top 5, Reaidy was asked what was her biggest failure in life. She answered that failure was a necessary step in life in order to succeed. The judging panel consisted of TV host George Kurdahi, singer Nancy Ajram, Miss Lebanon 2004 Nadine Nassib Njeim, actor Adel Karam, designer Nicolas Jebran, composer Guy Manoukian and Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, among others. Reaidy wore a sky blue feathered dress designed by Nicolas Jebran. She succeeded Miss Lebanon 2017, Perla Helou. After the show, Lebanese social media users compared her to Georgina Rizk, the only Lebanese beauty queen who won the title of Miss Universe in 1971 and whose mother was Hungarian. It has been pointed out that Reaidy and Miss Russia 2018 Yulia Polyachikhina bear a striking resemblance. Reaidy wants to use the Miss Lebanon platform to be a women's rights advocate and to increase knowledge and awareness of women who are unaware of their rights in Lebanon, emphasizing that Lebanese mothers cannot pass on their nationalities to their children. As Miss Lebanon, she is also involved in the Step Together Association, supporting the protection of the rights of children with special needs and participating in activities with the students. In October 2018, Reaidy and her parents met with President of Lebanon Michel Aoun and the first lady at the Baabda Palace. Reaidy was invited to the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Lebanon and met with the ambassador H.E. Dr. Hamad Bin Saeed Al Shamsi in order to participate in the launching of a new initiative to spread awareness about breast cancer. On October 1, 2018, Reaidy's first television appearance was on Menna W Jerr TV show hosted by Pierre Rabbat and broadcast on MTV (Lebanon). Reaidy is featured on her first cover magazine for women's lifestyle magazine Zahrat Al Khaleej, appearing alongside former Miss USA Rima Fakih and Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. As part of her Miss Universe preparation, Reaidy flew to Los Angeles for two weeks of intensive training organized by Miss Lebanon Director Rima Fakih, including photoshoots, wardrobe fittings and casting call at Arab American Casting. She was given motivational speeches by Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton, Miss Guam Universe 2010 Brittany Bell and Miss Wyoming USA 2010 Claire Schreiner. On November 3, 2018, she is featured on the cover of Femme Magazine. The same day, she attended Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram's live performance in the company of Rima Fakih and music manager Tony Sal in Las Vegas. Reaidy will represent Lebanon at Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand. If she wins, Reaidy would use her title as a real sustainable movement for the women in the Middle East as well as bring awareness to the special needs population. Maya Reaidy is a fifth year pharmacy student in the Lebanese American University, and has completed 2 years of psychology prior. She speaks four languages fluently - English, Arabic, French, and Russian. Maya enjoys reading psychology and Ayurveda lifestyle, and is a very active person who enjoys all kinds of sports especially yoga. One of her passions is traveling and meeting new people through volunteer work. She embraces travel that allows her to speak in different languages as it helps her understand ethnicities and cultures better. If she takes home the crown, Maya would use her title as a real sustainable movement for the women in the Middle East as well as bring awareness to the special needs population. This change would tackle issues from serious topics regarding sexual harassment to more simple problems such as bringing awareness to basic laws women should be aware.