Fátima Bosch of Mexico has been crowned the new Miss Universe — but her victory comes at a moment when the pageant is facing its biggest scandals in years. The glamorous event in Bangkok was meant to celebrate “The Power of Love,” yet behind the scenes, tension and controversy dominated the competition.
Just two weeks before her win, Bosch was involved in a dramatic confrontation with pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil. During a livestream, he accused her of skipping a photo shoot, then scolded her in front of other contestants. The public humiliation sparked an immediate walkout, with several contestants leaving the room to support Bosch.
Days later, Bosch broke her silence in a video, claiming the executive had called her “dumb.” Her accusation spread quickly online and pushed the Miss Universe Organization to defend the contestants. Officials criticized the executive’s behavior, saying he had forgotten what it means to be a true host.
As the scandal grew, two judges resigned before the finals. One claimed that a secret group had pre-selected finalists without the official panel’s approval. The organization denied the accusations, but the sudden exits fueled fears of favoritism and manipulation.
Even after Bosch earned the crown, criticism continued. A former judge called her a “fake winner” and claimed business ties between her family and Miss Universe leadership. Fans across the world now argue that their favorite contestants were overlooked and believe the judging process lacks transparency.
For many viewers, Bosch’s win marks a turning point. Instead of celebrating, the pageant world is demanding answers — and a complete reset of how Miss Universe is run.
