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Miss Mexico wins Miss Universe 2025 in scandal-plagued Bangkok finale
Fatima Bosch, 25, was crowned Miss Universe on Friday in Bangkok, capping a tumultuous pageant season marked by backstage confrontations, judge resignations, and allegations of rigging. The victory-Mexico's fourth in the competition's history-sparked immediate debate online, with supporters praising Bosch's earlier defiance of organizers and skeptics questioning whether the win was compensation for prior controversy.
The walkout that shook the pageant
Earlier this month, Bosch stormed out of a pre-pageant event after Thai media mogul and organizer Nawat Itsaragrasil publicly berated her for failing to post promotional content. When she objected, Nawat threatened to disqualify her supporters and called security. Several contestants joined Bosch in solidarity, exiting the room-a move that went viral globally. The Miss Universe Organization later condemned Nawat's behavior as "malicious," while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed Bosch as "an example of how we women should speak out" against aggression.
During Friday's finale, Nawat-conspicuously absent from the stage-posted cryptic messages on social media, including a Thai-language statement reading, "A billion words that cannot be said." He told reporters the outcome was "for the viewers at home to judge."
Judge resignations and rigging claims
A week after the walkout, two judges resigned under controversial circumstances. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch accused organizers of rigging the competition, alleging an "impromptu jury" had pre-selected finalists before the live broadcast. Former French footballer Claude Makelele also quit, citing "unforeseen personal reasons." The Miss Universe Organization denied the claims, stating no external group influenced evaluations.
Minutes after Bosch's victory, Harfouch reiterated his allegations online, deepening doubts about the process's integrity.
Other controversies and near-tragedies
The pageant's chaos extended beyond organizational disputes. During Wednesday's preliminary evening gown round, Miss Jamaica suffered a fall onstage and was rushed to a hospital on a stretcher. Organizers later confirmed she had no broken bones and was "under good care." Clips of the incident circulated widely on social media.
This year's edition also highlighted cultural clashes between the pageant's Thai and Mexican leadership. Nawat, founder of the smaller Miss Grand International pageant, licensed the 2025 event in Bangkok, while Mexican businessman Raul Rocha oversees the Miss Universe Organization from Mexico. Analysts described the transition as "very rocky," with divided responsibilities confusing fans and participants.
Top five results
- Winner: Fatima Bosch (Mexico)
- 1st Runner-Up: Praveenar Singh (Thailand)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Stephany Abasali (Venezuela)
- 3rd Runner-Up: Ma Ahtisa Manalo (Philippines)
- 4th Runner-Up: Olivia Yace (Côte d'Ivoire)
A pageant at a crossroads
The 74th Miss Universe coronation arrives as the decades-old competition grapples with declining TV audiences and relevance in the social media era. Former president Paula Shugart told the BBC the brand's future hinges on "empowering the women that compete," while scholars like Thitiphong Duangkhong warned of cultural misunderstandings between Thai and Latin American leadership.
Under previous owner Anne Jakrajutatip, a Thai transgender media mogul, the pageant expanded inclusivity-allowing married women, mothers, and transgender contestants-while attempting to monetize the brand through merchandise. However, her company JKN filed for bankruptcy in 2023, prompting a leadership shuffle. Jakrajutatip resigned as CEO this year, replaced by Guatemalan diplomat Mario Bucaro.
Despite the turmoil, the pageant retains strong followings in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where titles often serve as pathways to celebrity or economic mobility. Yet critics continue to question its objectification of women. As former contestants leverage platforms like TikTok and Instagram-some amassing millions of followers-the organization faces pressure to evolve beyond its traditional TV spectacle format.
"Miss Universe is nothing if you're not empowering the women that compete."
Paula Shugart, former Miss Universe Organization president
