Mexico's Fatima Bosch Crowned Miss Universe
Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, was crowned Miss Universe at a ceremony in Bangkok, bringing an end to a highly scandal-ridden pageant season.
Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, was crowned Miss Universe at a ceremony in Bangkok, bringing an end to a highly scandal-ridden pageant season.
The 25-year-old contestant walked out of an event in early November after a Thai official publicly abused her in front of dozens of contestants and threatened to disqualify those who supported her.
A week after this dramatic turn, two judges resigned, one of whom accused the organizers of rigging the competition.
This comes as one of the world's longest-running beauty pageants faces questions about its relevance and dwindling audiences.
The latest results of the contest have further fueled controversy; news of Miss Mexico's victory immediately divided opinion online.
Many Mexicans celebrated her victory, while others praised her walkout.
But some have also wondered if the organizers gave her the crown as compensation for the previous scandal.
Miss Thailand Praveen Singh was the first runner-up, while Miss Venezuela Stephanie Abasali came in third, followed by Miss Philippines Ma Ahtisa Manalo and Miss Côte d'Ivoire Olivia Yes.
Drama in Bangkok
Earlier this month, things escalated at a pre-pageant ceremony when Thai media mogul and pageant organizer Mr. Nawat Itsaragrassil scolded Miss Bosch in front of dozens of contestants for not posting promotional content.
When she objected, Mr. Nawat called security and threatened to disqualify those who supported her. Miss Bosch then left the room, and others joined her in solidarity, a move that made headlines worldwide.
The Miss Universe Organization criticized Mr. Nawat's behavior as "malicious," and Mr. Rocha, speaking via video from Mexico, simply told his Thai business partner to "stop."
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised Miss Bosch at the time, saying she was "an example of how we women should speak up in the face of anger."
During Friday's final, Mr. Nawat posted photos of himself with the audience on his Instagram Stories, but he did not appear on stage.
After Miss Bosch was crowned, he posted a one-line statement in Thai on his social media accounts, saying: "A billion words that cannot be said."
He also told reporters: "As for the result, we leave it to the viewers at home... People everywhere can make their own judgments."
On social media, some fans suggested that the backstage drama helped Miss Bosch win the crown, Mexico's fourth.
One comment read, "Next year, whoever walks out will win," while another said: "They had to crown her to make up for the injustice done to Miss Universe!"
On its social media accounts, the organization praised Miss Bosch, saying, "Her grace, strength, and radiant spirit won the hearts of the world."
A week after the walkout controversy, two judges resigned, one of whom accused the organizers of rigging the selection process.
Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch, who announced his resignation from the eight-member jury on Instagram, alleged that an "impromptu jury" had selected the finalists before Friday's final.
A few hours later, former French football star Claude Makelele also announced his withdrawal, citing "undisclosed personal reasons."
The Miss Universe Organization dismissed Mr. Harfouche's claims, stating that "no external group is authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists."
On Friday, minutes after Miss Bosch's victory was announced, Mr. Harfouche posted a statement online reiterating his allegations of rigging.
In a separate incident, during the preliminary evening gown round on Wednesday night, Miss Jamaica accidentally fell on stage and had to be carried out of the theater on a stretcher.
Clips of the incident were widely shared on social media. The organizers later said she was hospitalized, but she had no broken bones and was receiving "good care."
Turmoil at the Top
Analysts say the recent dispute highlights cultural and strategic differences between the Thai and Mexican owners of Miss Universe.
The pageant events are organized by Mr. Nawat, whom fans know as the founder and owner of Miss Grand International, a small Thai-based pageant known for its strong social media presence.
Mr. Nawat holds the license to host this year's Miss Universe pageant, while the Miss Universe Organization is run by Mexican businessman Raul Rocha.
This is a significantly new leadership, brought in just before the pageant began.
Thai transgender media mogul Anne Jakrajutatip previously owned the event, purchasing the pageant from US entertainment company Endeavor in 2022. She made major changes to promote inclusion, allowing transgender women, married women, and women with children to participate. She also eliminated the age limit for contestants.
As audiences dwindled over the years, they distanced themselves from the Miss Universe brand.
Before resigning, Miss Jakarajutatip brought in Mr. Rocha from Mexico as a business partner and later selected Mr. Nawat to organize the 2025 pageant.
American beauty queen and pageant coach Danny Walker described it as a "very difficult transition" for the pageant's leadership. He said that essential roles are now divided between leaders in Bangkok and Mexico.
He added that when Endeavor was running the pageant, and before that, under Donald Trump, the leadership structure was much clearer.
Paula Shugart, who served as president of the Miss Universe Organization under the previous two owners, said, "For fans and outsiders, it's very confusing. No one knows who the real leaders are or who to ask when they have questions, and that's very damaging to the brand."
Thitiphong Duangkhong, a scholar of women's and Latin American studies and an expert on beauty pageants, said that those behind the pageant should be aware of cultural differences.
He explained, "In our country, we use the Thai language to communicate with our fellow Thais. We understand the social climate, we understand the social structure, we understand the power disparity in society, and we constantly try to address it by using the Thai language."
Mr. Thitiphong said that Miss Jakrajutatip's being a transwoman may not have appealed to some Latin American fans who believe in macho culture.
"There's talk that women who aren't women are suddenly buying into a pageant that should be for women's entertainment. What's going to happen?"
What's next for Miss Universe?
The crowning of a new Miss Universe, the 74th since 1952, signals the organization's determination to remain relevant and transform from a once-a-year television show into a media brand ready for TikTok.
Over the years, the audience for the Miss Universe broadcast has steadily declined as fans have migrated to social media.
In this same world of e-commerce, Mr. Nawat's Miss Grand International queens are expected to sell merchandise during live broadcasts – something he tried to introduce to Miss Universe.
But on the Latin American side, beauty queens are still considered glamorous television celebrities.
A Miss Universe reality show was also created for that audience, and the winner – a Dominican who was crowned Miss Universe Latina – competed in the main pageant in Bangkok.
The pageant remains very popular in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where pageant crowns have become a way out of poverty or an express pass for girls dreaming of celebrity.
But its relevance has been questioned, and there have been persistent criticisms that it sexually objectifies women.
Organizers have made adjustments in recent years. While most contestants wore two-piece bikinis for the swimsuit round of the 2025 contest, girls from conservative countries were allowed to wear full-body clothing.
Former President Ms. Shugart said, "Of course, it won't be for everyone, and there will always be people who disagree. But as long as the core values remain, I think pageants will always have a role in society."
She added that empowering women should be at the core of the organization.
"Miss Universe is nothing if you're not empowering the women who compete."
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