Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch Crowned Miss Universe 2025 Amid Pageant Controversy

21 November 2025

At the glittering finale of the 74th edition of the Miss Universe 2025 pageant held on November 20 in Bangkok, Thailand, Fátima Bosch of Mexico was crowned its winner, overcoming a dramatic lead-in plagued by director disputes, judge resignations and a contestant walk-out.

Bosch, 25, entered the competition having already made headlines after a viral incident in which pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly chastised her for allegedly failing to meet promotional expectations, reportedly calling her “dumb” and sparking solidarity from other contestants who staged a walk-out in protest. Undeterred, Bosch maintained her composure and delivered a final performance that earned her the coveted crown, as well as a renewed sense of purpose to redefine the role and image of the title she now holds.

In her victory speech Bosch said she intended to use the platform to amplify women’s voices and to shift the narrative around beauty pageants from appearance alone to impact and authenticity. She stated that the pageant is “a platform where women search for a voice” and that she hoped to be remembered as “a person who changed a little bit the prototype of what is a Miss Universe.”

Behind the scenes of the pageant, the drama was extensive. Two judges resigned ahead of the final event—one, Lebanese-French composer and former judge Omar Harfouch, accused the organisation of forming a secret jury that pre-selected finalists. The organisation publicly denied such claims and reiterated that its evaluation procedures remained in accordance with protocol.

Bosch’s win marks the fourth time a Mexican woman has captured the Miss Universe crown, following in the footsteps of Lupita Jones (1991), Ximena Navarrete (2010) and Andrea Meza (2020). The final also featured strong showings from other national representatives: Thailand’s Praveenar Singh finished as first runner-up and Venezuela’s Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser took third place.

The pageant, which was held at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi (a suburb of Bangkok), also reflected broader change in its broadcast and format: for the first time the event saw a major shift in how audiences in the U.S. and globally could access streams, and it came amid a moment of heightened scrutiny around contestants’ treatment, judging integrity and the evolving role of major pageants in modern culture.

Bosch’s victory is particularly notable given the adversity she faced leading up to the finale. She entered the competition after studying sustainable fashion design at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico and the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan. Her philanthropic work includes volunteering for children’s charities and environmental initiatives, and those credentials helped position her as more than just a pageant winner she is a voice for purpose-driven representation.

In interviews following her crowning, Bosch emphasized that she did not see beauty pageantry as just a moment in a sash and gown. She urged that winners use the platform to serve as advocates, mentors and role-models. Her experience of calling out disrespect publicly and then achieving the crown cast her win as more than a personal triumph; it became a statement about dignity, respect and the power of standing up for oneself.

As the confetti settled and the new Miss Universe was celebrated across Mexico, social media and global press overtly recognised this edition of the pageant as a pivot away from pageantry as spectacle toward pageantry as advocacy. Bosch now carries the expectations of what that shift might look like in action how her year of reign will manifest in tangible social contribution rather than public appearances alone.