Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch Crowned Miss Universe
Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch Crowned Miss Universe – Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch was crowned the new Miss Universe in Bangkok on Friday, ending what has been one of the most scandal-filled pageant seasons in recent memory.
The 25-year-old beauty queen made headlines earlier this month when she walked out of a pre-pageant event after a Thai organiser publicly berated her in front of other contestants and threatened disqualification for those who supported her.
Drama continued in the lead-up to the finals, as two judges resigned, with one accusing organisers of rigging the competition. Despite the controversy, Bosch ultimately emerged victorious, while Thailand’s Praveenar Singh placed second. The rest of the top five included representatives from Venezuela, the Philippines, and Côte d’Ivoire.
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Thailand hosted the Miss Universe pageant for the fourth time, with local media mogul Nawat Itsaragrasil overseeing the events. He is known for organising the Thai-based Miss Grand International pageant, famous for its strong social media presence. Meanwhile, the overall Miss Universe organisation is now managed from Mexico by businessman Raul Rocha.
The 2025 pageant season was marked by several controversies, including:
Bosch’s walkout after being publicly reprimanded for not posting promotional content.
Judge resignations, with allegations of an “impromptu jury” pre-selecting finalists
Miss Jamaica’s on-stage fall during the preliminary evening gown round, requiring hospitalisation.
Miss Universe has also been undergoing a leadership transition. Thai transgender media mogul Anne Jakrajutatip, who acquired the pageant in 2022 and introduced progressive rules allowing transgender, married women, and mothers to compete, resigned as CEO just before the pageant. She was replaced by Guatemalan diplomat Mario Bucaro.
Experts say the controversies reflect cultural and operational tensions between the pageant’s Thai and Mexican management teams. Yet despite the turbulence, the crowning of Bosch shows the organisation’s resolve to stay relevant in a world increasingly dominated by social media and influencer culture.
Former Miss Universe presidents emphasise that empowering contestants should remain the core of the pageant. “Miss Universe is nothing if you are not supporting and uplifting the women who compete,” said Paula Shugart, former organisation president.
