The Miss Universe pageant for 2025 has been marred by a series of controversies even after Mexico’s Fátima Bosch Fernández was crowned the winner. Allegations of bullying, vote rigging, and mishaps have plagued the event, leading to an ongoing debate about the relevance and empowerment of beauty pageants.
Since the crowning, multiple contestants have renounced their titles, with Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, still hospitalized after falling off the stage. Additionally, there are arrest warrants for two co-owners of the pageant in Thailand and Mexico, and the organization’s president is reportedly considering selling his stake due to the tumultuous circumstances.
Despite the chaos, the Miss Universe Organization reported record viewership, with 2.6 billion global views across social media platforms. However, concerns over transparency, mistreatment, and favoritism have prompted contestants and organizations to sever ties with the pageant.
Miss Universe Estonia and Miss Côte d’Ivoire have stepped down, citing conflicts in values and ethics, while others have criticized the organization for its selection process and treatment of participants. Miss Haiti Melissa Queenie Sapini also spoke out about her “nightmare” experience, alleging a rigged voting system and favoritism based on contestants’ appearances.
The controversies escalated as arrest warrants were issued for a co-owner in Thailand for fraud, and the president of the Miss Universe organization in Mexico is under investigation for alleged involvement in illicit activities. Despite the turmoil, there is an opportunity for the Miss Universe Organization to address participants’ concerns and improve its image in the industry.