Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch Fernández, wins the crown of Miss Universe 2025, which has been in the public eye for more than just the competition.
In a dramatic and highly publicised finale, Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on November 20 in Bangkok, Thailand, amid a heated backdrop of controversy and protest. Her victory, cheered by supporters waving Mexican flags, comes after weeks of tensions that nearly overshadowed the pageant itself.
Bosch’s journey to the crown was not straightforward. Earlier this month, during a live-streamed sash ceremony, she was publicly reprimanded by Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, who accused her of refusing to follow promotional photoshoot guidelines. In that confrontation, Itsaragrisil allegedly called her “dumb,” prompting Bosch to stand her ground. When she spoke up in her defence, security was called — and she then made a powerful walkout. Several fellow contestants, including reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig, followed her in solidarity.
The incident sparked global outrage. The Miss Universe Organisation condemned the behaviour, calling it “public aggression” and “serious abuse.” Even Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, weighed in, praising Bosch for speaking out and declaring that “women are prettier when we speak and participate.”
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Despite the turbulence, Bosch delivered a compelling performance in the final round. When asked how she would use her platform if she won, she responded with a message that clearly resonated: “Believe in the power of your authenticity … never let anyone make you doubt your worth, because you are powerful and your voice needs to be heard.” Her words earned her the crown, making her the fourth Mexican in history to win Miss Universe — following in the footsteps of Lupita Jones, Ximena Navarrete, and Andrea Meza.
However, the win did not silence the critics. Allegations of rigging surfaced almost immediately after her crowning. Former judge Omar Harfouch, who resigned before the final event, claimed publicly that the outcome was predetermined, accusing the Miss Universe owner of having business ties with Bosch’s father.During the live finale, some spectators reportedly shouted “cooking show,” a pageant slang term suggesting the result was “pre-cooked.”
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Still, in her post-crowning press conference, Bosch remained composed. She said she hoped to be remembered not just as a beauty queen, but as someone who challenged the “prototype” of what Miss Universe could be: authentic, courageous, and a voice for change.
In a tightly contested finale, Praveenar Singh of Thailand claimed the title of 1st runner-up, coming very close behind Fátima Bosch. Singh, who has Indian heritage, impressed the judges with her poise and compelling presence. The 2nd runner-up was Stephany Abasali from Venezuela, while Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines secured the 3rd runner-up position.
Representing India on the global stage was Manika Vishwakarma, who won the Miss Universe India 2025 crown in Jaipur. A final-year student of Political Science and Economics from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, Manika is also a trained classical dancer and an artist, and advocates for neurodivergence through her initiative Neuronova. Despite her confidence and strong performance, she could not advance past the semi-finals and did not make it into the top 12 of Miss Universe 2025.
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