Miss Universe President Faces Intense Backlash Over Visa Comments
The president of the Miss Universe Organisation, Raul Rocha, has ignited international controversy after suggesting that Côte d'Ivoire contestant Olivia Yacé missed out on winning the prestigious crown due to visa restrictions affecting her home country.
Rocha made the surprising remarks during an interview with Mexican journalist Adela Micha, with a clip rapidly circulating across social media platforms. Speaking in Spanish, the organisation president implied that Yacé's chances were compromised because citizens of Côte d'Ivoire require visas to enter 175 countries worldwide.
'There are many things that are evaluated,' Rocha stated, according to an English translation of the interview shared on Instagram by missuupdates. 'The job is one year of Miss Universe, 175 countries ask for a visa for Côte d'Ivoire.'
Contestant's Dramatic Response and Resignation
The controversial comments prompted immediate backlash from pageant fans and observers, many questioning whether Rocha was suggesting that a contestant's passport strength could determine their success in the competition.
Yacé, who had been crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, responded decisively by resigning her title on November 23 - merely two days after being announced as the fourth runner-up in the competition held in Bangkok, Thailand.
In a powerful social media statement, Yacé wrote: 'I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity. But to continue on this path, I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity, the strongest pillars that guide me.'
Critics were quick to challenge Rocha's visa argument, noting that Yacé reportedly holds American citizenship and is the daughter of a diplomat, which would theoretically grant her extensive travel freedom. Yacé has not publicly addressed these claims.
Growing Scandal Surrounds 2025 Competition
The visa controversy represents just one element of mounting troubles for the Miss Universe Organisation. Yacé's resignation followed that of Miss Universe Estonia, Brigitta Schaback, who similarly relinquished her title citing misaligned values with national director Natalie Korneitsik.
Further complicating matters, judge Omar Harfouch resigned and made explosive allegations that organisers had rigged the competition through a secretive 'impromptu jury' that allegedly selected finalists before the official judging process.
Miss Universe Organisers have strongly denied these accusations, maintaining that 'no external group has been authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists.'
The competition's winner, Mexico's Fatima Bosch, had herself generated headlines earlier in the month when she stormed out of a key event after pageant organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berated her and called her 'dumb' in front of other contestants.
According to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks global travel freedom, Côte d'Ivoire holds 83rd position with visa-free access to 58 countries, while the US passport ranks 11th with access to 180 nations.
This year's controversy echoes similar allegations from 2023, when Miss Universe CEO Anne Jakrajutatip faced accusations of rigging the competition in favour of American contestant R'Bonney Gabriel - claims that organisers dismissed as 'false' and 'absurd.'
