Bangkok, Thailand – In a glittering finale that capped weeks of unprecedented controversy, 25-year-old Fátima Bosch Fernández from Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on November 21 at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The victory gave Mexico its fourth Miss Universe title and made Bosch the first woman from the state of Tabasco to ever win the national crown and then the international one.
Just two weeks earlier, Bosch had become the center of global attention when she dramatically walked out of a pre-pageant event after being publicly berated and threatened with disqualification by a senior Thai pageant official. The incident, captured live and viewed millions of times, turned her into an instant symbol of resilience and sparked widespread solidarity among contestants and fans alike.
The 74th Miss Universe competition, held under the theme “The Power of Love,” brought together representatives from more than 130 countries and territories in Thailand for the first time since 2005. Yet the weeks leading up to the grand finale were dominated by two major scandals that threatened to overshadow the event itself.
The first erupted on November 4 during the official sashing ceremony, which was livestreamed to a global audience. Thai national director Nawat Itsaragrisil, a powerful figure in Asian pageantry, singled out Bosch in front of nearly all 130 contestants, accusing her of failing to follow promotional guidelines and not posting enough content about Thailand on social media. In a confrontation that quickly escalated, he repeatedly told her to stop speaking, called security to the stage, and warned that any contestant who supported her would also be disqualified. Bosch stood her ground, defended herself, and ultimately walked out of the venue in her evening gown and heels. Several other delegates, including reigning Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, followed her in solidarity.
The moment went viral almost instantly. Miss Universe Organization president Raúl Rocha Cantú, a Mexican businessman, issued a strong statement condemning the treatment as “malicious” and a “serious abuse,” immediately restricting Itsaragrisil’s involvement in the rest of the event. Itsaragrisil later apologized in tears at a press conference, but the damage to the pageant’s reputation had already been done.
As the competition moved toward its final stages, a second crisis broke just 48 hours before crowning night. Two members of the official judging panel resigned amid explosive allegations of rigging. Lebanese-French composer Omar Harfouch claimed the existence of a “secret jury” that pre-selected the top 30 finalists through non-transparent means, alleging conflicts of interest and favoritism. He described the process as riddled with fraud and threatened legal action. Former French footballer Claude Makélélé also stepped down shortly after, though he cited only “personal reasons.” The Miss Universe Organization firmly denied all accusations, insisting that all selections followed established protocols, but the resignations fueled intense online debate about fairness and credibility.
When the finale finally aired on November 21, the atmosphere inside Impact Challenger Hall was electric. After swimsuit, national costume, evening gown, and interview rounds, the field was narrowed to a strong top five:
- Miss Universe 2025: Fátima Bosch (Mexico)
- 1st Runner-Up: Praveenar Singh (Thailand)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser (Venezuela)
- 3rd Runner-Up: Ahtisa Manalo (Philippines)
- 4th Runner-Up: Olivia Yacé (Côte d’Ivoire)
Bosch’s final answer—about empowering young girls to embrace their authenticity—drew thunderous applause and tears from the audience. Outgoing queen Victoria Kjær Theilvig, the first-ever Danish winner, placed the crown on Bosch’s head as the new titleholder screamed in joy, “I’m Miss Universe!”
For Bosch, a fashion designer who creates sustainable collections from upcycled materials and volunteers with disadvantaged communities, the crown represents far more than beauty. Her journey from a walkout that defended her dignity to the Miss Universe stage has been hailed as one of the most powerful narratives in the pageant’s 74-year history.
As Fátima Bosch begins her reign advocating for sustainability and women’s empowerment, the Miss Universe Organization faces urgent questions about transparency, respect, and relevance in the modern era. The 75th edition is already confirmed for 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where organizers promise a “Diamond Anniversary” celebration. Whether the pageant can fully restore trust after 2025’s turbulent season remains one of the biggest storylines to watch in global entertainment.
