Mexico’s Fatima Bosch who walked out on organisers crowned Miss Universe

Fatima Bosch of Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe in Bangkok, closing one of the most dramatic and controversy filled seasons in the pageant’s history. The twenty five year old’s victory has already sparked intense debate, coming just weeks after she walked out of a pre pageant event in protest over how she was treated by a Thai official.

Earlier in November, Bosch left a promotional gathering after a senior organiser publicly scolded her in front of dozens of contestants for not posting required promotional content. When she pushed back, the official threatened to disqualify not only her but also anyone who stood with her. Bosch walked out, and several contestants followed her in solidarity, turning the moment into global headlines.

The situation escalated when two judges resigned days later. One accused the organisers of manipulating results and said he refused to be part of a process he believed was unfair. These resignations added to growing concerns about transparency and the future relevance of the Miss Universe brand, which has seen declining audiences in recent years.

Bosch’s victory has divided opinion. Many in Mexico celebrated her win and applauded her courage for standing up for herself earlier in the month. But others questioned whether her crowning was influenced by the controversy, suggesting that the organisation may have chosen her partly to control the narrative and soften criticism.

Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh was named first runner up, followed by Miss Venezuela Stephany Abasali, Miss Philippines Ma Ahtisa Manalo, and Miss Cote d’Ivoire Olivia Yace. The host country was especially sensitive to the results given the earlier clash involving Thai business mogul Nawat Itsaragrasil, who had confronted Bosch. During the final, Nawat was spotted in the audience but did not appear on stage. After the crowning, he posted a brief and cryptic message online saying there were “a billion words that cannot be said.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had previously praised Bosch, calling her an example of how women should speak up when disrespected. The Miss Universe Organization also condemned the earlier confrontation, describing the official’s behaviour as malicious.

Social media reacted quickly after the win. Some fans argued that the controversy helped Bosch secure the crown, joking that walking out might become a new winning strategy. Others said she deserved the title regardless of the drama, pointing to her strong performances in the competition.

The chaos surrounding this year’s event did not end there. One judge, Lebanese French musician Omar Harfouch, again accused organisers of rigging the results just minutes after Bosch was crowned. Earlier that week, Miss Jamaica fell during the evening gown round and was taken out on a stretcher, a moment that also spread widely online.

As the dust settles, Miss Universe faces renewed scrutiny about fairness, transparency, and its direction as a global competition.