Tantawy will represent the country at the global Miss Universe competition in El Salvador, which is scheduled to take place on 18 November.

She will be Egypt’s first representative at the prestigious pageant since 2019.

The competition, held in Cairo on Monday, featured four segments: a personal interview, a swimwear round, an evening gown round, and a final question.

Tantawy expressed her commitment to microfinance and collaborating with local and international organizations to empower people trapped in poverty and help them break the cycle.

The panel of judges for the event included Egyptian actress Mai Omar, Filipino actress Arci Munoz, and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi. Evlin Khalifa, who was crowned Miss Universe Bahrain last year, hosted the event.

The competition in Egypt was restarted this year after the Dubai-based Yugen Group acquired the franchise rights earlier this year.

In an official statement, Josh Yugen, the owner and national director of the competition, expressed his pride in crowning the new Miss Universe Egypt 2023.

This year, the Miss Universe Organization made history by removing the restrictions on marital status and age for contestants. For the first time in the pageant's 71-year history, applicants can be single, married, divorced, or even mothers.

This inclusive approach aims to embrace diversity and empower women from all walks of life.