Melanie Shiraz | |
|---|---|
 Shiraz at Miss Israel 2025 | |
| Born | Melanie Asor (1998-11-13) November 13, 1998 |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BA) Tel Aviv University (MBA) |
| Occupations | Data scientist, entrepreneur |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Israel 2025 |
| Major competitions |
|
Melanie Shiraz Asor (Hebrew: מלאני שירז עשור; born November 13, 1998[1]) is an Israeli beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Israel in 2025. She represented Israel at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, which took place on 21 November 2025 in Thailand.
Biography
Shiraz was born in Israel.[2] She is the daughter of Israeli commentator Estee Shiraz.
The family moved to the United States when Melanie was young. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a double degree in Data Science and Interdisciplinary Studies. She was also involved in Chabad, the campus Jewish Student Union, and Hillel. She returned to Israel shortly after graduating. After working in Silicon Valley, she earned an MBA at Tel Aviv University and co-founded a fintech startup in London.[2][3][4]
Pageantry
Shiraz competed as "Miss Caesarea" to represent Israel at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant. She was crowned Miss Universe Israel at the Hilton Miami Aventura Hotel in 2025.[5][6][7] Upon her victory, she told The Jerusalem Post that she wanted to use the title as an opportunity for "meaningful advocacy," and added, "I want every Jew and Israeli, no matter where they are, to feel proud of this moment."[8]
Shiraz has been targeted with online abuse since being named Miss Universe Israel. She has criticized Nadeen Ayoub for using her platform to spread falsehoods about the October 7 attacks and the Gaza War.[9][10][4]
At the Miss Universe 2025 competition, Shiraz wore a yellow dress decorated with a Star of David and embroidered with anemones, the national flower of Israel. Shiraz intended the design as a tribute to the Gaza war hostages and victims of the conflict.[11][12][13]
References
- ^ "melanieshiraz". Instagram. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
- ^ a b "From Israel to the Diaspora: 30 most influential Jewish leaders". Ynet News. 2025-09-24. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ Colich, Emilia Medina (2025-08-28). "Nadeen and Melanie, the 'queens' activists from Palestine and Israel who will face each other in Miss Universe". El Mundo America. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ a b Ghermezian, Shiryn. "Newly Crowned Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz Discusses Prep for Miss Universe Pageant, Not Being Bothered by 'Haters'". The Algemeiner. Archived from the original on 2025-07-23. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ "Will this Israeli be Miss Universe?". Israel Hayom. 2025-07-20. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ Cashman, Greer Fay (2025-08-02). "Grapevine: Miss Jerusalem of vision". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ Schwartzbaum, Carl (2025-07-18). "Melanie Shiraz of Caesarea Crowned as 2025 Miss Universe Israel at Glitzy Miami Pageant". The Jewish Voice. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ Taylor, Ezra (2025-07-19). "Melanie Shiraz captures Miss Universe Israel 2025 in emotional Miami win". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ Nirman, Adi (2025-10-06). "'I hope you end up like the hostages'". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ Lefkovits, Etgar (2025-10-06). "'Miss Israel' decries 'lies' in Gaza war posts of 'Miss Palestine'". Jewish News Syndicate. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ^ Shapiro, Jamie (2025-11-21). "Israel's Miss Universe entrant wears dress honouring the hostages for global pageant". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ^ Yaacov, Itay (2025-11-20). "Beauty pageant battlefield: when Miss Israel met Miss Palestine". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
- ^ Gabay, Dor (2025-11-19). "Miss Palestine Dome of the Rock Costume | Israel Hayom". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
External links
- Miss Israel - Melanie Shiraz
