The Miss Universe 2025 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand, culminated in the crowning of Fatima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, a moment that was as triumphant as it was tumultuous. Bosch, at 25 years old, has made history, not only for winning the prestigious title but also for standing firm amid a controversy that rocked the entire competition.
The drama began days before the coronation when Bosch publicly defied the Thai national director, Nawat Itsaragrisil. During a televised event on November 4, Itsaragrisil reprimanded Bosch harshly for not participating in local promotional activities as instructed. When Bosch defended herself, she was met with hostility and even security was called to remove her. Choosing dignity over compliance, Bosch walked out, followed by a significant number of contestants who showed their support through a walkout, an unprecedented act of solidarity and feminist resistance in the history of Miss Universe.
This act of defiance crystallized a larger wave of dissent when two judges resigned in the lead-up to the finale. Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French musician and former judge, alleged that the competition’s outcome was fixed. He claimed the winner was preordained due to business ties between the Miss Universe Organization’s owner, Raúl Rocha, and Bosch’s family. Harfouch’s accusations included collusion, conflicts of interest, and even a rumored personal relationship between a judge and a contestant, further fueling the fire of scandal.
The tension at the pageant venue was palpable. Audience members voiced their anger, with chants accusing the event of being a “cooking show,” implying that the results were predetermined. Social media buzzed with videos of contestants walking out, emotional confrontations, and calls for greater transparency in the pageant’s operations.
Despite the chaos, Fatima Bosch emerged as the clear winner against the backdrop of this controversy. Her victory was celebrated as a triumph of resilience and dignity. She used her moment to emphasize the importance of women’s voices and rights, remarking that women are more beautiful when they speak out and assert their place in the world.
In a rare public apology, Nawat Itsaragrisil expressed regret for his conduct, acknowledging it had caused discomfort among participants. Yet the apology did little to quell speculation and criticism surrounding the organization’s management and the integrity of the competition.
Alongside Bosch’s win, the pageant saw other notable placements: Praveenar Singh of Thailand was named first runner-up, with Venezuela’s Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser in third place, followed by Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines and Olivia Yace of Ivory Coast in subsequent positions.
The Miss Universe Organization responded to the accusations by firmly denying any wrongdoing or rigging, asserting that judging procedures remained transparent and supervised according to their strict protocols.
Miss Universe 2025 will undoubtedly be remembered not just for the crowning of its queen but for its unprecedented controversies, which sparked global conversations about fairness, respect, and empowerment in international beauty pageants. Fatima Bosch’s victory transcends traditional pageantry, symbolizing courage and the rising demand for dignity in competitive platforms worldwide.
