The Miss Universe pageant has always been a spectacle, but this year’s event in Bangkok took the crown for chaos and controversy. Imagine a beauty competition where bullying, alleged vote-rigging, death threats, and even a contestant falling off the stage become the headlines. Yes, you read that right—and that’s just the tip of the glittery, drama-filled iceberg. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Fátima Bosch Fernández, a 25-year-old from Mexico, emerged as the winner, not just for her poise but for her bold stance against bullying. And this is the part most people miss: amidst the chaos, Bosch’s victory became a symbol of resilience and dignity.
The Miss Universe pageant, now in its 74th year, is no stranger to controversy. From stripping contestants of their titles for being married or pregnant to mishandling racist remarks and even crowning the wrong winner (thanks, Steve Harvey!), the pageant has faced its fair share of scandals. But this year’s event seemed to outdo itself. Public bullying, judges quitting mid-competition, allegations of vote-rigging, and a contestant leaving on a stretcher after a literal fall from the stage—it was a spectacle like no other. Let’s not forget the ongoing debate: are beauty pageants empowering or outdated relics? This year’s drama only added fuel to that fire.
But what truly stood out was Bosch’s courage. During a livestreamed ceremony, Thai national director Nawat Itsaragrisil accused Bosch of not following promotional guidelines and even called security when she defended herself. Bosch walked out, joined by several others, including Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark. Bosch later told reporters, ‘If it takes away your dignity, you need to go.’ Her stance earned her praise, including from Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum, who commended her ‘dignified’ response. Nawat eventually apologized, but the damage was done.
The controversies didn’t stop there. Two judges quit days before the finale, with one, Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch, claiming the voting process was rigged. He alleged a secret vote was held to pre-select 30 contestants out of 136, conducted by people not on the official jury. The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) denied this, calling it a misunderstanding related to an independent program. Yet, the organization threatened legal action if Harfouch continued to associate himself with the pageant.
And this is where it gets even more heated: Miss Israel, Melanie Shiraz, claimed she received death threats after a viral video appeared to show her giving a dirty look to Miss Palestine, Nadeen Ayoub. Shiraz denied the allegations, calling the video edited and misleading. Meanwhile, Chilean contestant Inna Moll faced backlash for a since-deleted video where she jokingly mimicked snorting white makeup powder, sparking accusations of trivializing drug use.
To add another layer of drama, Canadian judge Natalie Glebova, a former Miss Universe herself, was accused of a conflict of interest. Glebova had coached multiple contestants, including Canada’s Jaime VandenBerg, whom she was now judging. VandenBerg made it to the top 30 but was cut before the top 12. Was it fair? Many questioned the integrity of the competition.
Finally, Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a literal misstep, falling off the stage during the evening gown competition. Though not seriously injured, she was hospitalized and absent from the pageant the next day. It was a stark reminder of the pressures these contestants face.
So, here’s the big question: Is the Miss Universe pageant still relevant in today’s world? With its history of controversies and this year’s unprecedented chaos, it’s hard not to wonder. Does it empower women, or does it perpetuate outdated standards? And what does it say about us as an audience that we’re still tuning in? Let’s hear your thoughts—do you think beauty pageants have a place in modern society, or is it time to retire the crown?
