In a dramatic conclusion to one of the most scandal-plagued seasons in its history, Mexico’s Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe in Thailand on Friday. Her victory comes just weeks after she made headlines by defiantly walking out of a pageant event, a act of protest that set the stage for a complete upheaval within the competition.
The 25-year-old’s win marks a triumph over adversity. In November, Bosch exited an event after a pageant official publicly berated her and threatened to disqualify any contestants who showed her support. The incident exposed deep fissures behind the scenes, culminating in the resignation of two judges—one of whom publicly accused organizers of rigging the competition.
Bosch’s crowning as the 74th Miss Universe signals a powerful statement from the organization. Founded in the US and now owned by a Thai-Mexican consortium, the pageant is striving to evolve from an annual television spectacle into a modern, year-round media brand for the TikTok era. By awarding the title to a contestant who challenged its own authority, Miss Universe has chosen a path of disruption and relevance.
The top five were rounded out by first runner-up Praveenar Singh of Thailand—the host country and a fan-favorite—followed by delegates from Venezuela, the Philippines, and Cote d’Ivoire.
By James Kisoo
