Miss Mexicohas been named Miss Universe, marking the end of what has been one of the most controversial seasons in pageant history. Fatima B...
Miss Mexicohas been named Miss Universe, marking the end of what has been one of the most controversial seasons in pageant history.
Fatima Bosch, 25, had already attracted attention in November when she left a major event in anger after the pageant organizer, Nawat Itsaragrasil, publicly criticized her and called her 'dumb' in front of shocked contestants.
Mr. Itsaragrasil had warned of disqualifying anyone who attempted to support her, yet dozens of Ms. Bosch's pageant friends staged a walkout that caused a major stir in the beauty industry and transformed the winner into an emblem of resistance.
Just a week later, the turmoil intensified as two judges stepped down — one of whom publicly alleged that the organizers had manipulated the entire contest.
As social media in Mexico exploded with joy, many commended her impressive return and courage, while others swiftly questioned hidden intentions.
Rumors suggest the crown might have been given to compensate for previous embarrassment are spreading on the internet.
The conflict started at a promotional gathering where Thai media mogul and pageant organizer Mr. Itsaragrasil strongly criticized Ms. Bosch for her apparent lack of posting promotional material on her social media platforms.
As she resisted, he dramatically summoned security and warned of consequences for those who supported her—leading Ms. Bosch to leave, with several contestants courageously following suit.
Other pageant contestants seemed to stand together in support of Bosch, before pausing as Mr. Itsaragrasil cautioned those still wishing to take part to "sit down."
What your director did was disrespectful: he called me stupid," Bosch said to reporters at the time. "The world needs to witness this because we are strong women and this is a platform for our voice.
Danish beauty queen Victoria Theilvig, who claimed the highest title in the previous year, was also part of the group of models that left the sash ceremony.
Defending her demonstration against the pageant officials, 21-year-old Theilvig stated: 'This is related to women's rights.'
To mock another girl - it's extremely disrespectful and something I've never engaged in. That's why I'm grabbing my coat and leaving.
The Miss Universe Organization condemned Mr. Itsaragrasil's behavior as 'malicious,' while Mr. Rocha, speaking via video from Mexico, urged his Thai business partner to simply 'stop.'
Even Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, commented - praising Bosch as "an example of how women should speak up" against unfair treatment.
Interestingly, Mr. Itsaragrasil remained inconspicuous during Friday's coronation – sharing pictures of the crowd but clearly not present on the stage.
Following Bosch's coronation, he posted a sharp message online: "A billion words that cannot be expressed," and later told reporters, "As for the result, we let the audience at home decide... people everywhere can form their own opinion."
Online fans quickly connected the victory to the week's events, with one person posting on social media: "Next year, whoever leaves will win," and another stating: "They had to crown her to compensate for previous unfairness and save Miss Universe!"
However, the storm remains unresolved, Judge Omar Harfouch declared his resignation a few days prior, claiming that an undisclosed "spontaneous jury" had already determined the finalists before the show.
Several hours later, fellow judge and former football star Claude Makelele also stepped down, stating 'unforeseen personal reasons'.
An ad-hoc jury has been established to choose 30 finalists from the 136 countries taking part, with none of the actual [eight] jury members, including myself, present,' Harfouch wrote on Tuesday, noting that he learned about this through social media.
The informal panel consists of "people who may have a major conflict of interest because of personal connections to certain Miss Universe participants," he stated.
The artist did not explain how this 'spontaneous panel' would operate, or how it would supersede the official panel's ruling.
Organizers firmly rejected Harfouch's claims, stating, "no outside organization has been permitted to assess participants or choose winners."
An official statement said: 'Considering Mr. Harfuch's [sic] stated confusion, his public misrepresentation of the program, and his declared wish not to be involved, the Miss Universe Organisation politely recognizes his departure from the official judging panel.'
The pageant stated that Harfouch is prohibited from 'using, displaying, referencing, or linking himself' to the Miss Universe brand 'starting right away.'
However, just minutes following the official coronation, Harfouch reinforced her claims - sharing new accusations of manipulation.
And just when the tension wasn't high enough, Miss Jamaica experienced a shocking fall in the evening gown preliminary round and was carried away on a stretcher.
Videos captured Dr. Gabrielle Henry walking confidently along the runway in Bangkok on Wednesday night, dressed in her shiny orange outfit, when she unexpectedly stepped off the stage and fell to the ground.
The crowd is heard shouting as they respond to the intense fall, with some individuals even rising from their seats to assist the Jamaican beauty queen.
Video clips spread quickly online - although organizers later stated she was receiving medical attention at a hospital, with no fractures and "in good condition."
Shortly before the incident, a video caused debate at this year's event when viewers alleged it captured Miss Israel staring aggressively at Miss Palestine.
The video became popular online after it appeared to capture Melanie Shiraz, 27, staring angrily and rolling her eyes at Nadeen Ayoub, also 27, who seemed to be beside her.
However, Shiraz has later shared individual, 'original video' from the incident, depicting her standing behind Ayoub and directing her gaze elsewhere.
The Israeli beauty queen has stated that the video in which she seemed to glance at Miss Palestine with disapproval was 'altered' and came from a 'third party,' and was meant to deceive viewers on purpose.
The first runner-up was Praveenar Singh from Thailand, and Stephany Abasali from Venezuela placed third. Ma Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines and Olivia Yac from Cote d'Ivoire completed the Top Five.
All of this occurs as the long-standing pageant encounters significant doubts regarding its significance, alongside declining audience numbers and increasing demands for renewal.
Read more- Why did the winner of Miss Universe from last year walk out dramatically during this year's competition—what caused such a strong act of protest?
- Will the Miss Universe competition this year feature the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a backdrop for a high-profile contest among beauty queens on an international platform?
- What caused Miss Universe Mexico Fátima Bosch to make a striking exit from the pageant organization, drawing global interest?
- Why did the winner of the Miss Universe pageant from last year walk out dramatically during the Bangkok event in protest?
- What caused a significant number of beauty pageant winners, including Lexie Brant, to walk out in Bangkok, sparking renewed backlash against the Miss Universe Organization?
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