Miss Universe 2025 speaks out

Key Concepts

• Miss Universe 2023 Pageant: The 72nd edition of the Miss Universe pageant, held in Thailand.
• Fatima Bosch (Miss Mexico): The winner of Miss Universe 2023.
• Nawat Itsaragrisil: Owner of Miss Universe Thailand and a stakeholder in the Miss Universe organization.
• Protest and Walkout: Fatima Bosch and other contestants walked out of a preliminary event in protest against Nawat Itsaragrisil's alleged disrespectful behavior.
• Allegations of Vote Rigging and Favoritism: Claims made by a judge and amplified on social media regarding the fairness of the competition.
• Judge Resignation: Omar Harfuch, one of the judges, resigned citing concerns about the pageant being fixed.
• Father's Influence Rumors: Speculation that Fatima Bosch's father, an oil executive, influenced her win due to business ties with the pageant owner.
• Dignity and Values: The core reasons cited by Fatima Bosch and other contestants for their protest.

Miss Universe 2023: A Coronation Amidst Controversy

The 72nd Miss Universe pageant, held in Thailand, saw Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, crowned the new queen. The 25-year-old's victory, watched by over 2.5 million live viewers, was described by her as a "dream come true," despite it being her first pageant experience. However, Bosch's coronation was overshadowed by a series of controversies, including allegations of vote rigging, favoritism, and dramatic incidents.

Key Incidents and Controversies

• Protest and Walkout: A significant event occurred at the start of the week-long competition when Fatima Bosch walked out of a preliminary event. This action was a protest against Nawat Itsaragrisil, the owner of Miss Universe Thailand and a stakeholder in the Miss Universe organization. Nawat had allegedly confronted Bosch for not promoting Thailand, the host country, in a manner he deemed satisfactory. A viral video captured a tense exchange where Nawat reportedly told Bosch, "I didn't give you opportunity to talk. Please keep polite for me." Bosch stated that Nawat wanted to "humiliate me in front of all the people" and that he called her a "dump" (though Nawat later claimed he said "damage" and attributed the misunderstanding to his English fluency). Bosch asserted, "You can't talk to me like that. You can't call me dump." She emphasized the importance of standing up for oneself, stating, "The ones that are brave to speak up are the ones that will make history." Despite fearing it would end her chances of winning, she felt her "dignity is more important than any prize or any dream."
• Solidarity Protest: Bosch was surprised by the number of other queens who followed her out in protest. She clarified that they stood up "not for me. They stand up because they have values and respect and they knew that someone was doing something wrong to a woman."
• Apologies and Rebuttals: Nawat Itsaragrisil apologized the following day, stating, "I am a human who can feel hurt. If anyone effort and not comfortable, it happened. I'm so sorry." He also told ABC News that he never intended to insult Bosch and that the tone was taken out of context, attributing the conflict to a misunderstanding of his English. Raul Rosha, co-owner of Miss Universe and owner of the Miss Mexico pageant, also apologized for the incident. Fatima Bosch responded to Nawat's apology by saying, "I will always stand up for the things that I believe and I hope that no one ever led him to treat a woman like that again."
• Judge's Resignation and Allegations: Just days before Bosch was crowned, one of the judges, Omar Harfuch, resigned from the pageant. In an Instagram post, he alleged that the competition was "fixed" and that the 30 finalists were chosen in advance. He also claimed that one of the eight judges stepped down due to a "secret vote" and the exclusion of actual judges. Harfuch even declared that Bosch should be disqualified. Bosch dismissed these claims as a "lie" and suggested that Harfuch might be seeking more Instagram followers by creating drama. Miss Universe organization posted on Instagram disputing Harfuch's claims, stating that all evaluations adhered to their protocols. Harfuch, however, stood by his allegations, telling ABC News that "everything had been set up for Fatima to win." He also countered claims of seeking followers, stating his primary goal was to perform a musical piece he composed.
• Father's Influence Rumors: Following Bosch's win, social media buzzed with theories suggesting her father, an oil executive, influenced her victory due to alleged business interests with pageant owner Raul Rosha. Bosch vehemently denied these rumors, calling them a "campaign of hate" and stating, "My father has nothing to do with organization. My father has nothing to do with that." She emphasized the absurdity of buying a Miss Universe crown, comparing it to purchasing one at Walmart.

Fatima Bosch's Perspective and Future Intentions

Fatima Bosch expressed her commitment to her crown, stating, "I will never step away for this crown because I work really really hard to be here." She clarified her motivations, saying, "I'm not here for fame of modeling or searching husband. I'm here because God put a purpose on my heart. I have a mission and I will do it that all the year to serve others and help."

Other Notable Incidents

• Miss Jamaica's Fall: Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, experienced a dramatic moment when she fell off the stage during a preliminary event, an incident captured on social media.
• Miss Côte d'Ivoire's Resignation: Just days after being crowned Miss Africa and Oceanana, Miss Côte d'Ivoire resigned, citing the need to protect her values.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The Miss Universe 2023 pageant was marked by significant controversy, highlighting tensions between pageant organizers, contestants, and public perception. Fatima Bosch's victory, while celebrated by her supporters, was intertwined with allegations of unfairness and personal attacks. Her courageous stand against perceived disrespect, supported by several other contestants, underscored the importance of dignity and values over personal gain. The subsequent allegations of vote rigging and rumors about her father's influence further fueled public debate. Despite these challenges, Bosch remains resolute in her commitment to her role as Miss Universe, emphasizing her mission to serve others. The events of this year's pageant raise questions about transparency, ethical conduct, and the pressures faced by contestants in high-profile competitions.