ISLAMABAD: Pakistani actor Noor Xarmina has been declared ‘Miss Universe Pakistan 2024,’ after which she is poised to represent Pakistan at the 73rd Miss Universe 2024 pageant in November this year.
The announcement of Xarmina’s successful bid was made in a video published on the official YouTube channel of Miss Universe on Saturday.
The 29-year-old venture capitalist-turned-actor, who has studied biology and business, hails from Islamabad and recently moved to Pakistan.
In the video shared on Miss Universe YouTube channel, she said she wanted to bring about a “positive change” in her home country.
“I want to be an agent for positive change in two respects. The first is for our country. Pakistan is scarcely represented internationally across so many industries and I want to enhance our representation on an international stage,” Xarmina said.
“In the second respect, I want to have change for women in our country. Pakistan needs strong female leaders that can mobilize its women and empower them to create positive change in society.”
Asked if Pakistan would support Xarmina’s bid at international beauty pageants, Pakistani Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said if Xarmina has played a role in projecting Pakistan’s soft image, then a discussion can be held on this.
“I do not know about that woman, what background she has and what professional achievements she has before this, they can be looked into. If she has played her role for Pakistan’s image, Pakistan’s soft image, and Pakistan’s development, then discussion can be held on this,” he told reporters in Islamabad on Sunday.
Tarar noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently invited Naila Kiyani, a UAE-based Pakistani mountaineer, and appreciated her.
“So, we definitely believe that whatever achievement one has, it should be recognized,” he added.
Last year, Erica Rabin became the first Pakistani woman to be crowned Miss Universe Pakistan. Prior to that, no woman from Muslim-majority Pakistan ever participated in the Miss Universe pageant.
Miss Universe Pakistan is a national beauty pageant franchise organized by the Yugen Group of Dubai to select a representative from Pakistan for the Miss Universe pageant.
Actor Noor Xarmina crowned ‘Miss Universe Pakistan 2024’
https://arab.news/rkcqf
Actor Noor Xarmina crowned ‘Miss Universe Pakistan 2024’
- The 29-year-old venture capitalist-turned-actor hails from Islamabad and recently moved back to Pakistan from abroad
- Xarmina says she wants to represent Pakistan on international forums, bring about a change for women
Lolo Zouai releases new music video, sets album date
- French Algerian star will release new album April 24
- Record dedicated to a close friend who died in 2021
DUBAI: French Algerian singer and songwriter Lolo Zouai this week dropped a new music video for her single “Holding On” and announced that her upcoming album, “Reverie,” will be released on April 24.
The track, which blends R&B and dance-pop elements, explores themes of grief and memory. Its accompanying music video is dedicated to Zouai’s close friend Hanna Rosa Hotchkiss who died in 2021.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Zouai said the album reflects a period of personal change.
“This record was made through three years of grief, growth, and reflection. I had to lose myself to find myself again. I couldn’t have done it without my angel, Hanna.”
“Thank you to my collaborators, my friends, and my Lo-riders who held me down through it all,” she added. “I hope it heals you the way it healed me.”
Zouai teased the album earlier this year writing: “2026. ALBUM SUBMITTED. LET’S… GOOO,” on Instagram, sharing a carousel of images of herself.
Fans quickly took to the comments section to congratulate the music sensation.
“OH MY GOD FINALLY!!! I’m so so so excited and proud of you omg, you did that,” one fan wrote. Another said: “Some good news i needed this fr.”
Another fan said: “I’m so excited I just shed a tear … 2026 is so gonna be your year boo!!!! SEE U SOON!!”
Zouai’s last release was in November, when she dropped a new single titled “3AM in San Francisco.”
In 2024, Zouai dropped several tracks, including her “Please Hold” EP featuring “jetlag” and “UNHHH,” along with “mute” and “Potential.”
In June 2024, she also announced that she had written a song for K-pop group NewJeans for their Japanese debut.
Known for her blend of R&B, club-pop and hip-hop, she has gained an international fan base for her dynamic stage presence and genre-blending music.
Her career highlights include the release of a debut album “High Highs to Low Lows” in 2019, which features 12 tracks, and a follow-up “PLAYGIRL” in 2022, which has 13 tracks.
After the album’s release in October 2022, Zouai was featured on a billboard in New York’s Times Square.
