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Miss Universe 2025 has a new queen, and her coronation comes on the heels of one of the most turbulent competition seasons in recent memory. Fátima Bosch of Mexico was crowned on Thursday night during the 74th Miss Universe pageant held at Impact Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, triumphing over more than 130 contestants representing countries and territories around the world.
The victory arrives just two weeks after Bosch became the center of a viral confrontation involving Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil. During a livestreamed pre-pageant event, Itsaragrisil publicly reprimanded Bosch for allegedly refusing to participate in a promotional photo shoot. Bosch denied the claims, but the tense exchange, during which she said he called her "dumb," triggered an immediate backlash, prompting several contestants to walk out of the room in solidarity.
Bosch later addressed the situation in interviews shared on Instagram, stating, "Your director is not respectful. He called me dumb." Miss Universe Organization president Raul Rocha Cantu condemned the executive's behavior, saying he had "forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host."
The turmoil deepened days before the pageant, when judge Omar Harfouch resigned, alleging that an unofficial selection panel had been formed without the knowledge of the official eight judges. He warned of potential conflicts of interest and questioned the transparency of the finalist-selection process. Shortly after, former soccer star Claude Makélélé and committee president Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie also withdrew from the judging panel. Miss Universe later appointed new judges, including former winner Natalie Glebova, who had previously coached Miss Canada, a detail that sparked further scrutiny.
Despite the controversies, Bosch delivered a standout performance during the final competition. In the Q&A round, she was asked how she would use her title to create safe spaces for women. "As a woman and as Miss Universe, I will put my voice and the power in the service of others," she said. "The brave ones who stand up are the ones who will make history."
Bosch was crowned by outgoing titleholder Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, closing a fraught but unforgettable chapter in Miss Universe history.
