Mexico's Fatima Bosch crowned Miss Universe winner in glittering finale of scandal-hit pageant
3 minute readPublished: Friday, November 21, 2025 at 5:07 am
Mexico's Fatima Bosch Wins Miss Universe Amidst Controversy
Mexico's Fatima Bosch has been crowned Miss Universe 2025, prevailing in a competition marked by scandal and controversy. The 25-year-old humanitarian and volunteer was selected from a field of 120 contestants representing countries worldwide. The runner-up was Praveenar Singh of Thailand, with Stephany Abasali of Venezuela, Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines, and Olivia Yac of the Ivory Coast rounding out the top five.
The competition, held over three weeks, included preliminary events and a final night featuring swimwear, evening gown, and question-and-answer rounds. Contestants were asked about global issues and how they would use the Miss Universe platform to empower young girls.
This year's pageant was overshadowed by several controversies. A pre-pageant incident involving the Miss Universe Thailand director, Nawat Itsaragrisil, who publicly berated Bosch, sparked a walkout by other contestants and widespread criticism. The Miss Universe Organization condemned the director's behavior and limited his role. Additionally, comments made by Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado, drew criticism for alleged racist remarks.
Adding to the turmoil, two judges resigned days before the final. One judge, Omar Harfouch, claimed the competition was rigged, alleging a secret panel pre-selected the top 30 contestants. The Miss Universe Organization denied these claims, asserting that the judging process followed established protocols. The other judge, Claude Makll, cited personal reasons for his resignation.
The Miss Universe Organization has also seen a leadership change, with Mario Bcaro appointed as the new CEO shortly before the delegates arrived. The organization was previously owned by Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, who purchased it in 2022. The next Miss Universe competition will be held in Puerto Rico.
BNN's Perspective:
The Miss Universe competition, while a global spectacle, continues to face challenges related to transparency and fairness. The recent controversies highlight the need for the organization to address concerns about judging processes and ensure a respectful environment for all contestants. While the pageant aims to promote female empowerment, it must consistently uphold these values to maintain its relevance and credibility.
Keywords: Miss Universe, Fatima Bosch, Mexico, Pageant, Controversy, Scandal, Thailand, Judges, Rigged, Misogyny, Empowerment, Competition, Final, Winner, Runner-up, Nawat Itsaragrisil, Alicia Machado, Mario Bcaro.