Shereen Ahmed is a Filipina-Bahraini beauty queen, model, and TV presenter currently based in Dubai. Recently crowned Miss Universe Bahrain 2024, she is set to represent Bahrain at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Shereen’s journey to this prestigious title wasn’t without its hurdles; she first competed in Miss Universe Bahrain in 2022, where she placed as the second runner-up. Her passion for pageantry was reignited after following the journey of Miss Universe Philippines 2023, Michelle Dee, whose story inspired her to make a triumphant return and claim the crown this year.
Born to a Filipino mother and Bahraini father, Shereen embraces both cultures with pride. She has used her platform to raise awareness about mental health, focusing on her personal struggles with anxiety and hypochondria. In addition to her advocacy for mental health, she is committed to supporting single mothers, working closely with organizations such as Hope Amel UAE and Bahrain.
Shereen’s love for writing has always been central to her life. She shared with The Global Filipino Magazine in 2020 that writing became her source of strength during difficult times. Her passion for words began with journaling, which later evolved into poetry, drawing inspiration from literary icons like Hemingway and Bukowski. She expressed, “Writing, for me, has always been my source of strength and transparency when certain life ordeals tend to get in the way.” Her dream of becoming a writer fueled her determination to succeed.
Shereen moved to Dubai in 2015, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media while working as a freelance model in both Dubai and Bahrain. “My Filipino mother had modeled in Bahrain, and I remember being so fascinated watching her walk on the runway as a young girl,” she recalls. Her modeling career began with a runway show for a teenage clothing brand in Bahrain, which marked the start of a long and successful career in fashion and beauty.
Over the years, Shereen has starred in three music videos and appeared in numerous fashion campaigns, lifestyle shoots, and commercials. As Instagram became a new platform for creatives, Shereen leveraged it to showcase her work, amassing over 10,000 followers in 2020. She eventually expanded her career to include content creation, becoming a well-known influencer in the region.
In her final year of university, Shereen landed an internship at Lovin Dubai, a popular media platform, which later turned into a full-time position. There, she worked on content for brands like McDonald’s and Redfest DXB, while also curating features, interviews, and news pieces for the UAE community.
Shereen’s love for Dubai is deeply rooted in its cultural diversity. “Not only do I get to share both my cultures with those from a whole different continent, but I also enjoy trying new foods and learning phrases from different languages,” she said. Despite her love for Dubai, Shereen admits that homesickness is a constant struggle.
Currently, Shereen is undergoing training in the Philippines under the guidance of Josh M. Yugen’s agency, preparing for her Miss Universe 2024 journey. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue her advocacy work, with plans to use her platform to support both the Bahraini and Filipino communities, especially single mothers and animal care centers.
