From walkouts to crowning: Here's a list of the Miss Universe 2025 controversies

This year’s Miss Universe was no stranger to drama.

Even ahead of the coronation and during the pre-pageant events, the pageant was met with several viral controversies that got the town talking.

Here is a list of all the issues that happened at Miss Universe 2025.

Miss Universe Thailand’s ‘Special Dinner & Talk Show'

Early in the competition, Miss Universe Thailand launched a "Top 10 Special Dinner & Talk Show with Queen Victoria and Mr. Nawat.”

The event campaign had encouraged netizens to vote for Miss Universe candidates through Facebook and Instagram likes and shares. 

Afterward, the Miss Universe Organization then slammed online posts promoting the event, saying it was "not authorized." 

MUO said "such initiatives do not represent the values, operations, or official activities of the Miss Universe Organization." 

Miss Universe Thailand then defended the campaign, saying, “as the officially licensed Host Organization, we hold the rights to manage and execute such promotional activities within our territory."

Miss Grand International Public Company Limited (MGI PCL), the license holder of the Miss Universe Thailand franchise and the host organization of the 74th Miss Universe, later canceled the event, as “sponsors have expressed concerns, discomfort, and pressure that have led them to suspend their support for this particular event.”

Miss Universe candidates walk out

One of the largest controversies this season was when the Miss Universe candidates walked out on Miss Universe Thailand National Director Nawat Itsaragrisil.

During a pre-pageant event, Nawat was seen having an exchange with someone off-screen and later calling security. Videos later spread that he was speaking to Miss Universe Mexico, Fatima Bosch. Nawat allegedly called her a “dumb head,” which led to several of the candidates walking out of the event.

Miss Universe Mexico released a statement afterwards defending Fatima.

"Miss Universe Mexico raises her voice. What happened today with [Fatima Bosch] in Thailand is unacceptable. No woman, under any circumstance, deserves to be insulted or humiliated," they wrote in Spanish, as translated in English by Instagram. 

Nawat later apologized for what happened via a livestream.

“If anyone feeling not good, if anyone not comfortable, if anyone [affected], I do apologize for everyone. But I did talk, apologize to the rest of the girls in the room. Around 75 girls in the room already," he said.

MUO restricts Nawat’s participation

Following the issue with Fatima, the walkout, and Nawat's apology, the MUO restricted Nawat’s participation in the pageant.

MUO President Raul Rocha said in a video statement, “Nawat, you need to stop.”

“Every woman in the world should be respected. And Fatima, who in addition to being a voice of her own, represents her country as well, just like the 122 delegates who are currently in Thailand," Rocha had said. 

“I will not allow any of them to be attacked and humiliated as many of them have managed to reach this platform of visibility and voice, precisely while trying to overcome situations like these.”

Miss Universe Jamaica falls off stage, gets rushed to hospital

Miss Universe Jamaica Dr. Gabrielle “Gabby” Henry fell off the stage during the evening gown portion of the pageant's preliminary competition and had to be carried out on a stretcher.

Gabby, at one point, “isn’t doing as well as we have hoped,” Miss Universe Jamaica said in a statement on November 21. 

She had to stay in a hospital in Thailand, and was “required to remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a minimum of seven (7) days, as doctors continue their close monitoring and specialised care.”

By November 25, Gabby was "nearing discharge" from the hospital.

"[Thanks] to the excellent medical care provided, each issue was successfully resolved. Today we are pleased to share that the latest medical report confirms that Dr. Gabrielle Henry is in good health and nearing discharge," MUO said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Philippine bet Ahtisa Manalo stunned in her Mak Tumang creations for the preliminaries. She wore a fiesta-inspired national costume and a form-fitting evening gown inspired by the Philippine Pearl.

Judges resign

In a shocking turn of events, two Miss Universe judges resigned ahead of the coronation night.

Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French musician, announced his resignation on Instagram.

French football manager Claude Makélélé also resigned due to "unforeseen personal reasons,” per his post on Instagram.

“This was a difficult decision, as I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard. The platform represents empowerment, diversity, and excellence — values I have always championed throughout my career,” he said.

He also apologized to the pageant, the contestants, and everybody involved, and I hope to be able to contribute in the future under better circumstances.”

People Magazine also reported that Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, the president of the Miss Universe selection committee, had dropped out of the pageant days before the event.

Mexico’s Fatima Bosch wins Miss Universe

Mexico’s Fatima Bosch won Miss Universe 2025.

Fatima bested 120 other candidates for the title.

To recall, Fatima had a heated exchange with Nawat during a pre-pageant event. The pageant director allegedly called her a “dumb head” which led to the contestants walking out.

Meanwhile, Ahtisa was named 3rd runner-up.

Omar Harfouch’s allegations

Omar Harfouch had a lot to say about the Miss Universe pageant, alleging that the results were rigged.

According to Harfoush, “a *secret vote* was held to pre-select 30 contestants out of the 136" two days before the coronation. 

“This vote was carried out by individuals who are not official members of the jury, myself included. To this day, no one knows who the selected 30 are, except one individual who holds the results. This same person is affiliated with a national organization of a participating country — which is a clear conflict of interest," he said. 

In another Instagram post, Omar said the vote was conducted by “individuals who are not recognized members of the official judging panel, including at least one person with a personal romantic relationship with a contestant — a fact which constitutes a clear and serious conflict of interest and may qualify as collusion and manipulation of an international competition.”

Omar also alleged that Fatima is a “fake Miss Universe.”

Per Omar, he revealed exclusively on American HBO “that Miss Mexico would win—because Miss Universe owner Raúl Rocha is in business with Fatima Bosch’s father.”

He said that details will be shown in May 2026 on HBO.

“Raul Rocha and his son urged me, week ago in Dubai, to vote for #Fatima Bosh because they need her to win ‘because it will be good for our business’ they said to me!” Omar said.

Queens express disappointment

Netizens, beauty queens, and celebrities alike expressed their disappointment after Fatima was declared Miss Universe 2025. 

Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee posted on X, “Speechless.” She added, “I’m so confused.”

Vice Ganda also said on X, “Hanggang sa Miss Universe ninakawan nyo ang Pilipinas! Grabe!!!”

Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray said on her Instagram broadcast channel, “But also…? Wala na bang bearing ang Q&A sa MU?”

In another post, Catriona called for transparency in judging.

“What I would like to see though, is transparency of criteria of judging, how is it being scored and to have an official tabulating firm in MU,” she said.

“So my question becomes for the MU org. I hope moving forward they can regain the trust of the fans by having a more transparent judging process with a third party official tabulator. The doubts of us fans are not unfounded with multiple statements from judges and meant to be judges. It's disheartening considering all the effort, sacrifices, and dreams that were up there on that stage." 

Raul Rocha’s statements

Raul Rocha released several statements on social media following the Miss Universe pageant and the controversies surrounding it.

"The only truth that stands is that no judge resigned," he said. "The musician, whom nobody knew, turned out to be an opportunist, and anyone with good judgment can see how an unknown person tried to latch onto the fame of Miss Universe to gain followers." 

Rocha also addressed the two other judges, saying, "Regarding the other two judges, whom I respect, I emphasize that they did not resign. Only God, they, and I know this. I prefer not to elaborate further out of respect for them and for the organization."

He underscored that Miss Universe is a private organization and does not receive “public funds or sponsorships from any public entity.”

"We do not receive public funds or sponsorships from any public entity. Judges do not receive any payment for participating, and Miss Universe Organization covers all expenses incurred by those who honor us with their presence," he said.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe Dominican Republic and Miss Universe Cuba expressed their support for Rocha’s leadership.

Olivia Yace of Côte d'Ivoire resigns as Miss Universe Africa & Oceania

The drama did not stop even after the Miss Universe pageant.

Olivia Yace of Côte d'Ivoire resigned as Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, as announced in a statement on Monday. No reason was named.

"COMICI officially informs the Miss Universe organization of the withdrawal of the Ivorian candidate from all titles and mandates issued by this organization," the Miss Côte d’Ivoire Committee said in a statement. "Olivia Yace therefore relinquishes her title of Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, effective immediately."

She finally commented on her resignation late Tuesday, saying she needed to "remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity the strongest pillars that guide me."

"Stepping away from this diminished role of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania will allow me to dedicate myself fully to defending the values I hold dear," she said.

Olivia also placed 4th runner-up in Miss Universe.

As controversies continue to swirl around the pageant, several Miss Universe franchises around the world have voiced support for Rocha including Miss Universe India, Miss Universe Switzerland, Miss Universe Cuba, and Miss Universe Republica Dominicana.

Meanwhile, Ahtisa has finally arrived home in the Philippines after experiencing flight delays. —CDC/LA, GMA Integrated News