Mexico’s Fatima Bosch has been named Miss Universe at the conclusion of the 2025 ceremony in Bangkok, concluding what has been described as an exceptionally scandal-ridden pageant season. The 25-year-old victor secured the title after walking out of a preliminary event earlier in November following a public confrontation with a Thai organizer. That dramatic incident was quickly followed by the resignation of two judges a week later, with one openly accusing the organizers of rigging the selection process. The pageant's turbulent final result has deepened the controversy, instantly dividing global opinion online, reports The WP Times with reference to ВВС.
While many in Mexico and those who praised her earlier walkout celebrated Bosch's victory, some critics immediately questioned whether the organizers granted her the crown as an act of compensation for the preceding scandal. Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh was named first runner-up, followed by Miss Venezuela Stephany Abasali in third, Miss Philippines Ma Ahtisa Manalo, and Miss Cote d'Ivoire Olivia Yace.
The dramatic events began during a pre-pageant ceremony when Thai media mogul and co-organizer, Mr. Nawat Itsaragrasil, publicly admonished Ms. Bosch in front of dozens of contestants for failing to post mandatory promotional content. When Bosch objected, Mr. Nawat summoned security and allegedly threatened to disqualify those who stood by her. Ms. Bosch responded by leaving the room, and other contestants joined her in solidarity, a move that gained international attention. The Miss Universe Organization later condemned Mr. Nawat’s conduct as “malicious,” and the Mexican co-owner, Mr. Raul Rocha, speaking via video, publicly told his Thai business partner to “just stop.” At the time, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised Ms. Bosch as an “example of how we women should speak out” against aggression. During the Friday finals, Mr. Nawat posted photos from the audience on Instagram but did not appear on stage. Following Ms. Bosch’s crowning, he posted a cryptic Thai statement on social media: “A billion words that cannot be said,” and told reporters, “As for the outcome, we leave it to the viewers at home to judge.” On social media, many fans suggested the backstage turmoil helped secure the crown, Mexico’s fourth, with one comment reading: "Next year, whoever walks out will win."
The controversy escalated a week after the walkout when two members of the eight-person jury resigned. Mr. Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French musician, announced his resignation on Instagram, claiming an “impromptu jury” had pre-selected finalists before the final ceremony. Hours later, former French football star Claude Makelele also withdrew, citing “unforeseen personal reasons.” The Miss Universe Organization rejected Mr. Harfouch's allegations, stating that “no external group has been authorised to evaluate delegates or select finalists.” Minutes after Ms. Bosch’s win, however, Mr. Harfouch repeated his rigging claims online. Separately, during the preliminary evening gown round, Miss Jamaica suffered a fall onstage and had to be taken out on a stretcher, though organizers later confirmed she was stable and had no broken bones.
Analysts state that the recent controversies highlight strategic and cultural differences between the pageant's current Thai and Mexican ownership. The event is organized by Mr. Nawat, who owns the Miss Grand International pageant, while the Miss Universe Organization is run by Mexican businessman Mr. Rocha. This relatively new leadership structure emerged after Thai transgender media mogul Anne Jakrajutatip, who acquired the pageant in 2022 and introduced sweeping changes for inclusivity (allowing married women, women with children, and removing the age cap), stepped down as CEO of her company JKN due to “liquidity problems” shortly before the pre-pageant events. She was replaced by Guatemalan diplomat Mario Bucaro. Former Miss Universe Organization president, Paula Shugart, noted that the current divided leadership makes the brand confusing and damaging. The crowning of the 74th Miss Universe highlights the organization’s struggle to remain relevant and evolve from a televised spectacle into a modern media brand ready for platforms like TikTok, as traditional audience numbers continue to decline.
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