Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on November 21 during the grand finale held in Bangkok, Thailand. At 25, she became the fourth woman from Mexico to win the prestigious title and the 74th winner in the pageant’s history. Bosch earned the crown after competing against a strong group of finalists, including Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh, Miss Venezuela Stephany Abasali, Miss Philippines Ma Ahtisa Manalo, and Miss Côte d’Ivoire Olivia Yace.

Her victory followed weeks of intense attention after a viral confrontation with Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil. During a livestream on November 4, Nawat publicly reprimanded Bosch for not posting promotional materials and appeared to insult her by calling her a “dumb head.” The remark prompted Bosch to walk out of the room, a move that several other contestants supported by following her out. Shortly after the incident, Bosch shared a message on social media saying that if something costs a person their dignity, it is better to walk away.

Nawat later offered a public apology, explaining that the pressure of the event had caused him to lose control. He said he did not intend to insult anyone and later claimed that he had not called Bosch a “dumb head,” but had used the word “damage” instead. His behaviour drew criticism from Raul Rocha, president of the Miss Universe Organization, who condemned his actions and announced that the Thai director’s participation in future events would be limited.

The 2025 pageant faced several other controversies as well. A week after the walkout incident, two judges resigned, one of whom, Omar Harfouch, claimed that the competition had been rigged. He stated on social media that two days before the final, a secret vote had been held to pre-select 30 contestants, even though the individuals involved were not official members of the judging panel. The Miss Universe Organization rejected these allegations, insisting that no external group had been authorized to evaluate contestants or choose finalists.

Adding to the tension, Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry fell off the stage during the preliminary evening gown round on November 19 and had to be taken out on a stretcher. An update released on November 25 confirmed that she had been treated at the hospital and had not suffered any broken bones.

Despite the controversies that surrounded this year’s event, Fatima Bosch’s achievement remains a defining moment. Her grace under pressure and her ability to stand firm in the face of criticism earned admiration from audiences around the world, ensuring that her Miss Universe 2025 win will be remembered long after the noise surrounding the pageant fades.