Fatima Bosch Fernandez, of Mexico, has been crowned Miss Universe 2025, rounding off a dramatic and controversy-ridden competition in Bangkok.
The 25-year-old had walked out of an event earlier in November after a Thai organiser publicly scolded her in front of dozens of contestants and warned that anyone who stood by her could be disqualified.
A week later, the turmoil deepened when two judges resigned, with one alleging that the organisers had fixed the outcome of the competition.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Reporters at the event claimed that one of the pageant’s organisers had called Ms Bosch a “dumbhead”.
She responded by saying: “You are not respecting me as a woman.”
At the livestreamed ceremony for nearly all 130 contestants on November 4, national director Nawat Itsaragrisil had scolded Ms Bosch for supposedly failing to follow his instructions regarding local promotional events.
When she tried to defend herself, Nawat called for security, and Bosch walked out of the room. Other contestants joined her in a show of solidarity, including the reigning Miss Universe.
Ukraine war latest: Trump’s peace plan revealed in full – but Zelenskyy says his team must check it’s ‘genuine’
Ukraine and Europe cannot reject Trump’s plan – they will play for time and hope he can still be persuaded to desert the Kremlin
‘Disingenuous thread’ of the G20 – the communities shut out of South Africa’s summit
Even Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum, weighed in, saying at a news conference that she wanted to give “recognition” to Miss Mexico for voicing her disagreement in a “dignified” way.
“It seems to me that it is an example of how women should raise our voices,” Sheinbaum said, adding that she has been told in the past that “women look more beautiful when they keep quiet”.
“We women look more beautiful when we raise our voice and participate, because that has to do with the recognition of our rights,” she said.
Read more from Sky News:
Strictly star ‘arrested on suspicion of rape’
Change to forecast imminent after big freeze
Nawat later apologised, appearing both tearful and defiant.
“If anyone was affected or felt uncomfortable by what happened, I am so sorry,” he said in front of the contestants. He then turned to them and said, “It’s passed. OK? Are you happy?”
The first runner-up was 29-year-old Praveenar Singh of Thailand, while 25-year-old Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser of Venezuela took third place.
Completing the top finishers were Ahtisa Manalo, 28, of the Philippines, and 27-year-old Olivia Yace, of Ivory Coast, who secured fifth place.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The pageant has a history of mishaps and controversies – the 2021 edition faced backlash for being hosted in Israel, upsetting supporters of the Palestinian cause.
On Wednesday, Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, slipped and fell off the stage during the evening gown segment, escaping serious injury.
