In a night marked by both triumph and turmoil, Mexico's Fátima Bosch has been crowned Miss Universe 2025 during a dramatic ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand. The 25-year-old from Tabasco secured the prestigious title despite the event being overshadowed by multiple controversies that threatened to derail the competition.
A Pageant Marred by Conflict
The road to the crown was anything but smooth for the new Miss Universe. Just days before the finale, pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berated Bosch for failing to post sufficient promotional content on her social media channels. This confrontation sparked immediate backlash from fellow contestants, who staged a walk-out in solidarity with the Mexican representative.
The tension escalated further when two judges abruptly resigned mere hours before the final competition, creating last-minute chaos for organisers scrambling to maintain the event's credibility. The sudden departures raised questions about internal conflicts within the pageant's leadership structure.
Dramatic Moments and Historic Firsts
The preliminary rounds saw additional drama when Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, suffered a serious fall during the evening gown competition. The incident required medical attention, and Henry was stretchered off the stage, casting a shadow over the event's proceedings.
Despite the controversies, the pageant also celebrated significant milestones. Nadeen Ayoub made history as the first-ever Palestinian representative to compete in Miss Universe, achieving a notable placement within the top 30 contestants. Her participation marked a breakthrough moment for diversity and representation in the global competition.
The New Miss Universe's Vision
Following her victory, Bosch received the crown from last year's winner, Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark. The top five placements were completed by representatives from Thailand, Venezuela, Philippines, and Ivory Coast, showcasing the international nature of the competition.
Bosch has announced she will use her platform to advocate for women's safety and empowerment throughout her reign. The newly crowned Miss Universe emphasised her commitment to addressing critical issues affecting women globally, transforming the traditional beauty queen role into a vehicle for social change.
The 2025 edition of Miss Universe will be remembered not only for crowning a new titleholder but for exposing the underlying tensions and challenges facing modern beauty pageants as they navigate evolving social expectations and internal governance issues.
