Fatima bosch of Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe 2025, overcoming controversy during the international competition held in Thailand. The win follows public backlash sparked by comments made by a competition host, prompting a strong response from the Mexican President [1, 2].The incident has renewed focus on the treatment of contestants and the standards expected within the long-running global pageant [3].
Fatima Bosch of Mexico has achieved a remarkable triumph, being named Miss Universe 2025 on Friday in Thailand. This victory comes after she was publicly criticized by a competition host, sparking widespread outrage that reached the highest levels of the Mexican government.
During a filmed rehearsal, Miss Universe host Nawat Itsaragrisil reportedly called the contestant “idiotic” for not posting a promotional video about Thailand on her social media channels – a requirement for participants representing the host country this year.
Bosch, visibly upset, left the room, followed by several other contestants. “What your director did is disrespectful: he called me an idiot,” she stated to reporters present. “The world needs to witness this, because we are independent women and this space allows us to make our voices heard.”
The incident quickly drew a response from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who publicly “paid tribute” to Bosch, stating her reaction “is an example of how we, as women, must express ourselves” when facing aggression. The controversy underscores the increasing scrutiny faced by beauty pageants and their handling of contestant welfare.
Itsaragrisil later issued an apology. More than 120 contestants from around the globe competed for the coveted title of Miss Universe, one of the most prominent international beauty pageants.
The first runner-up was the candidate from Thailand, followed by representatives from Venezuela and the Philippines.
