MIAMI — Melanie Shiraz, Miss Israel 2025, has publicly criticized the Miss Israel competition’s relocation to Miami, its inclusion of non-Israeli contestants, and alleged financial and procedural misconduct by franchise owner Edgar Saakyan. She said the contest, which has been held in Miami for the past two years and has encouraged applications from non-Israeli Jews, has become disconnected from the country it claims to represent.

“I represented Israel during one of the most difficult periods in our country’s history. That’s why it has been deeply upsetting to watch the title become increasingly disconnected from Israel itself,” Shiraz said. “A title called Miss Israel should belong to Israelis and give voice to the people whose story it is supposed to tell. If it no longer does, then what exactly does Miss Israel mean anymore?”

Shiraz said that representing Israel required a thorough understanding of Israeli culture, society, and the Hebrew language. She stated that the planned Miss Israel candidates included only one who had recently acquired Israeli citizenship and that none of the finalists were citizens when they applied or spoke Hebrew. “The candidates planned to be presented to the public, including a winner who appears to have been effectively predetermined, are limited to a small group of women who were already known to the organization, none of whom were Israeli citizens at the time they applied for the title, and none of whom speak Hebrew.”

According to a recording of an Edgar Entertainment meeting reviewed by The Jerusalem Post, a candidate would be “selected” in an event made to appear like a pageant competition. Shiraz alleged that Edgar Saakyan, owner of Edgar Entertainment—the Miss Israel franchise holder—threatened to strip her of her title whenever she spoke out on behalf of Israel. She also claimed Saakyan demanded she disown a GoFundMe fundraiser she created to cover Miss Israel-related expenses and later sought the funds she raised.

She said that while Edgar Entertainment agreed to provide a flight, sash, and crown, she bore a substantial financial burden and was told the role required full-time commitment. “While some support was provided, I ultimately found myself carrying a substantial portion of the financial burden associated with representing Israel. At the same time, I was repeatedly told that this role was effectively a full-time responsibility and that outside work opportunities would need to be limited in order to prioritize my obligations as Miss Israel.”

Shiraz alleged that when she requested reimbursement of $900, Saakyan warned she might instead owe $45,000 in unrelated competition costs incurred before her crowning. She sent a complaint in February to the Miss Universe organization about “financial extortion” and reported plans for a misleading 2026 competition, but said her concerns were ignored. “Miss Universe frequently speaks about protecting women, empowering women, and ensuring that contestants have a voice. Those are values I believe in deeply. But when a titleholder comes forward with documented concerns about her treatment, about the conduct of her director, and about the integrity of the process, those values have to be reflected in action, not just language.” Saakyan, Edgar Entertainment, and Miss Universe did not immediately respond to requests for comment.