Bangkok: Fatima Bosch of Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe 2025, capping a season defined by controversy, resignations and record-breaking online debate.
The 25-year-old beauty queen won the title during finals in Bangkok, while Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh finished as first runner-up and Miss Venezuela Stephany Abasali placed third. Miss Philippines Ma Ahtisa Manalo and Miss Côte d’Ivoire Olivia Yacé rounded out the Top 5.
Bosch’s victory comes just weeks after she walked out of a pre-pageant event when Thai pageant organiser Nawat Itsaragrasil publicly reprimanded her over promotional duties and threatened to disqualify anyone who defended her. Several contestants later joined her in a rare collective protest that made global headlines.
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The Miss Universe Organisation called the organiser’s behaviour ‘malicious,’ and even Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, publicly praised Bosch for ‘speaking out in the face of aggression.’ The incident quickly became one of the most-watched and discussed controversies in pageant history.
Debate surrounds the crowning
Bosch’s win immediately divided pageant followers. Many viewers celebrated the result, especially fans who supported her walkout. Others, however, alleged that organisers selected her to mitigate reputational damage from the earlier scandal. Online reactions ranged from admiration to sharp criticism.
Adding to the scrutiny, two judges resigned days before the finals. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch accused organisers of rigging the process, claiming finalists were chosen in advance, an allegation the Miss Universe Organisation strongly denied. Former French footballer Claude Makelele also stepped down, citing personal reasons.
A difficult year for Miss Universe
This year’s competition unfolded under an unusually fragmented leadership structure. The event is being organised in Thailand by Nawat, while operations and ownership are headquartered in Mexico under businessman Raul Rocha.
Analysts say the dual structure and cultural disconnect have caused confusion and reputational issues during the transition from former owner Anne Jakrajutatip, whose company JKN filed for bankruptcy in 2023.
The pageant also faced safety concerns after Miss Jamaica fell onstage during the preliminaries and was rushed out on a stretcher. Organisers later confirmed she had no fractures and was recovering under medical care.
The relevance question
The Miss Universe Organisation, now in its 74th edition, continues to face long-standing questions about relevance, audience decline and accusations of objectification. Its strongest fan bases remain in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where contestants often achieve celebrity status and pageantry is seen as a path to financial and social opportunity.
In recent years, organisers have launched initiatives aimed at modernising the brand, relaxing competition rules to include transgender women, married women and mothers, removing the age cap, and incorporating livestream commerce and reality-style content.
Despite the controversies, the organisation remains firm in its pledge to evolve from a once-a-year televised event into a continuous digital brand built for TikTok and global streaming audiences.
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