ALBAWABA - Fátima Bosch shines despite shocking onstage bullying and global backlash.
Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico was named Miss Universe 2025 on Friday. The 25-year-old won the 74th edition of the famous beauty pageant in Bangkok, where she stood up to a mean host.
The first runner-up was Praveenar Singh, 29, from Thailand. The third-place winner was Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser, 25, from Venezuela.
Last but not least were Ahtisa Manalo, 28, from the Philippines, and Olivia Yacé, 27, from Ivory Coast, who came in fifth.
Fátima Bosch Fernández Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP
The bad mood at this year's event started when the Mexican contestant Bosch was scolded harshly. This led to a walkout, feminist unity, and a teary, over-the-top apology from the local organizer who started the whole thing.
Nearly all 130 contestants were sashed live on Nov. 4, and Thai national director Nawat Itsaragrisil yelled at Bosch for supposedly not following his rules for doing promotional activities in Thailand. He called the police when she spoke up to protect herself.
Like Bosch, a number of other people, including Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, Miss Universe 2024, left the room in a show of support.
Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP
“What your director did is not respectful: he called me dumb,” an unbowed Fátima Bosch told Thai reporters. “If it takes away your dignity, you need to go.”
Raúl Rocha Cantú, a Mexican businessman who is head of the Miss Universe Organization, said in a statement that Nawat's actions were "public aggression" and "serious abuse."
Claudia Sheinbaum, who was the first woman president of Mexico, weighed in. At a news conference in the capital of her country, she said she wanted to "recognize" Miss Mexico for disagreeing in a "dignified" way.
Fátima Bosch Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP
“It seems to me that it is an example of how women should raise our voices,” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum recalled being told in the past a common phrase that “women look more beautiful when they keep quiet.”
“We women look more beautiful when we raise our voices and participate, because that has to do with the recognition of our rights,” she said.
Fátima Bosch Fernández Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP
Later, Nawat said sorry for what he did, but he looked both sad and angry at the same time.
“If anyone was affected and not comfortable that it happened, I am so sorry,” he said in front of the contestants. He then looked at them and said, "It's over. Okay? Are you pleased?"
Bosch's official Miss Universe bio says that she studied fashion in Mexico and Italy and has worked on making designs that are eco-friendly and using old materials. It says she has volunteered to help sick kids, raised knowledge about the environment, and helped migrants and people with mental health problems.
Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP
A report from this year's competition also said that two judges had quit, and one of them said that the event was rigged in some way. The claim was pushed back. Separately, Thai police looked into claims that illegal advertising of online casinos as part of the event's publicity may have had something to do with the fight between the event's managers.
The pageant often has problems and issues. People who support the Palestinian cause were upset that the 2021 event took place in Israel, which led to criticism.
Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, fell off the stage during the evening gown competition on Wednesday. This was an example of a small mistake. She wasn't hurt too badly.
