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Nikol Reznikov

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01In brief

Nikol Reznikov is an Israeli model and television personality who won the Miss Israel pageant in 2018 at the age of 18. During her reign she made headlines for wearing a pantsuit rather than the customary dress during the evening-wear segment of an international pageant, a choice she later described as an innovation and personal breakthrough. She later appeared as a contestant on the Israeli reality competition Survivor VIP in 2020.

02Miss Israel Reign and Public Profile

Reznikov was 18 years old when she won the 2018 Miss Israel pageant.[1] Shortly after her victory she addressed criticism that the competition objectified women, arguing that the contest involved more than beauty and that the winner was chosen to represent Israel.[1] When presenter Korin Gideon called publicly for the pageant to be discontinued, Reznikov responded that she respected differing opinions while maintaining that the contest could be "a tremendous springboard" for young women who met its criteria.[1]

03Career After the Pageant

In 2020, Reznikov appeared on Survivor VIP. Later reports continued to identify her as a former contestant, while Ynet's account of the season finale placed her among the participants present during its tense backstage aftermath.[2][3]

04Legacy and Pageant Significance

Later in 2018, as Israel's representative at an international pageant, Reznikov wore a pantsuit during the evening-wear segment rather than the customary dress — an act reported at the time as a first for that segment.[4] The suit was designed by Shai Shalom.[4] Looking back on the year at its close, Reznikov said: "It was the most exciting year of my life; I learned a great deal."[5] She described the pantsuit appearance as an innovation and breakthrough that moved her, and said she was glad to have represented the country.[5]

The sources differ on the pageant's name: Mako identified it as Miss World, while Xnet / La'Isha referred to Miss Universe. The discrepancy remains unresolved.[4][5]

05Personal Life

In March 2025 it was reported that Reznikov, then 25, had begun a relationship with Raz Dalal, 28, of Beit She'an, roughly three months earlier.[3] Dalal worked in the culinary field and owned a bakery and a restaurant.[3] The relationship followed her separation in April 2024 from her previous partner, Roy Hagag, after approximately four years together.[3]

In late July 2026, Dalal proposed to Reznikov during a family holiday in Budapest, asking for her hand during a romantic waterfront walk in front of her family.[6] Reznikov said of the moment: "I'm so excited and happy. I still haven't recovered from the proposal — it was so moving. I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect."[6]

06Controversies

The 2020 Survivor VIP finale generated backstage controversy when Reznikov was reported to have shouted that the production was rigged immediately after the broadcast.[2] The dispute centered on a jury vote that producers said would be excluded on the grounds that it might violate game rules; the resulting tie between Assi Buzaglo and Israel Oglev led to a revote, with Buzaglo ultimately declared the winner.[2] Reznikov's allegation was reported as part of the backstage reaction and was not established as fact.[2]

Sources

  1. 1Mako, The beauty queen responds to Korin Gideon, accessed on October 14, 2026.
  2. 2Ynet, The drama at the Survivor finale: what happened behind the scenes?, accessed on October 14, 2026.
  3. 3Mako, No longer single: the former beauty queen in a new relationship | exclusive, accessed on October 14, 2026.
  4. 4Mako, A racist video by Miss America sparked an uproar, accessed on October 14, 2026.
  5. 5Ynet, The white season: the outgoing beauty queen in a romantic production of wedding and evening gowns, accessed on October 14, 2026.
  6. 6Mako, "I still haven't calmed down": the star responds to the step with her partner, accessed on October 14, 2026.

IsraelPedia Question & Answers

  • Who is Nikol Reznikov?

    Nikol Reznikov is an Israeli model and television personality who won the Miss Israel pageant in 2018 at the age of 18. She made headlines during her reign for wearing a pantsuit rather than the customary dress during the evening-wear segment of an international pageant, a choice she later described as an innovation and personal breakthrough. She subsequently appeared as a contestant on the Israeli reality competition Survivor VIP in 2020.

  • How did Nikol Reznikov respond to criticism that Miss Israel objectified women?

    Reznikov argued that the Miss Israel contest involved more than beauty and that the winner was chosen to represent Israel. When presenter Korin Gideon called publicly for the pageant to be discontinued, Reznikov said she respected differing opinions while maintaining that the contest could be "a tremendous springboard" for young women who met its criteria.

  • What was significant about Nikol Reznikov's pantsuit at the international pageant?

    During the evening-wear segment of an international pageant in 2018, Reznikov wore a pantsuit designed by Shai Shalom rather than the customary dress — an act reported at the time as a first for that segment. Looking back on the year, she described the choice as an innovation and breakthrough that moved her, and said she was glad to have represented the country. Sources differ on which pageant it was, with Mako identifying it as Miss World and Xnet/La'Isha referring to Miss Universe.

  • What controversy surrounded Nikol Reznikov at the 2020 Survivor VIP finale?

    Immediately after the broadcast of the 2020 Survivor VIP finale, Reznikov was reported to have shouted backstage that the production was rigged. The dispute centered on a jury vote that producers said would be excluded on the grounds that it might violate game rules, leading to a tie between Assi Buzaglo and Israel Oglev and a subsequent revote, with Buzaglo ultimately declared the winner. Reznikov's allegation was reported as part of the backstage reaction and was not established as fact.

  • When did Raz Dalal propose to Nikol Reznikov, and how did it happen?

    In late July 2026, Raz Dalal proposed to Reznikov during a family holiday in Budapest, asking for her hand during a romantic waterfront walk in front of her family. Reznikov responded to the moment by saying: "I'm so excited and happy. I still haven't recovered from the proposal — it was so moving. I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect."