Fatima Bosch of Mexico is the winner of the Miss Universe 2025 crown. Lillian Suwanrumpha, AFP
(UPDATED) Say hello to your new Miss Universe.
Fatima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand on Friday, November 21, besting over a hundred candidates around the world.
Praveenar Singh of Thailand placed first runner-up, followed by Stephany Abasali of Venezuela, Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines, and Olivia Yacé of Cote D' Ivoire.
The Miss Universe 2025 Top 5. Miss Universe/Facebook
As the new Miss Universe, Bosch succeeds Victoria Theilvig of Denmark and now joins the ranks of beloved international titleholders.
Her win concludes an especially chaotic edition of Miss Universe this year, marked by the clash of its Mexican and Thai executives, her walking out after a heated exchange during a pre-pageant event, and judges stepping down amid allegations of rigging.
Bosch staged a dramatic walkout this month from a meeting where she was lambasted by Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil.
Nawat appeared in a livestream of the event to single her out during a dispute over her apparent failure to post promotional content on her social media accounts.
Bosch, flanked by Miss Iraq, walked out of the room after Nawat called for security to intervene. Others appeared to rise in solidarity with Bosch, before freezing as Nawat warned that those still wanting to participate should "sit down."
"What your director did is not respectful: he called me dumb," Bosch told reporters at the time. "The world needs to see this because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice."
The newly crowned winner told a press conference on Friday that she would like to be remembered as "a Miss Universe that wasn't afraid to be herself" and "a person that changed, a little bit, the prototype of what is a Miss Universe."
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had called Bosch an "example of how we women should speak out" in the face of aggression after the incident with Nawat. "In public events, I say women look prettier when we speak out," Sheinbaum said.
Nawat later apologized.
He initially declined to comment when asked about Bosch on Friday, telling reporters he'd "rather not talk about her."
"It's better to let pageant fans discuss it. I respect the result anyway," he said.
Nawat then congratulated her later in the same news conference. "I do support, and congratulations again to Mexico's fans," he said.
'Secret' vote
Mexican media and social networks were awash with coverage of Bosch after the incident, heightening anticipation. In Villahermosa, Bosch's hometown, thousands of people gathered at a baseball stadium to watch the pageant live.
"Mexico, Mexico!" chanted the crowd, which erupted in cheers and applause when she was crowned, while fireworks lit up the sky, according to Mexican media reports.
Other drama in the run-up to the final round included two judges quitting this week, one alleging that the contest was rigged by a "secret and illegitimate vote" held without the official jury.
"This vote was conducted by individuals who are not recognised members of the official judging panel," French composer Omar Harfouch wrote in a statement posted on Instagram.
The Miss Universe Organization has denied Harfouch's claim, saying that "no impromptu jury has been created."
Former professional footballer Claude Makelele also withdrew as a judge, citing "unforeseen personal reasons" in a statement on social media.
Miss Britain Danielle Latimer tripped and fell flat on the stage during the costume round on Wednesday while wearing an outfit inspired by the Cockney character Eliza Doolittle.
And Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry was hospitalised after she fell off the main stage during an evening gown showcase, president of the Miss Universe Organization Raul Rocha said in a statement.
Miss Universe Jamaica public relations director Shannon-Dale Reid told AFP on Wednesday that Henry was "resting under medical observation" and had not suffered serious injuries.
High hopes for Manalo
Filipinos are generally happy with Manalo's third runner-up finish, but many of them had high hopes that she will win the country's fifth crown. The fresh-faced beauty from Quezon Province not only has the looks but also the experience, with Miss Universe her third time on the global pageant stage.
Ahtisa Manalo joins the Miss Universe Top 30. Miss Universe Philippines/Facebook
Manalo first set her sights on the Miss Universe crown in 2018 when she joined Binibining Pilipinas, which then held the franchise for the international pageant.
Catriona Gray, who was eventually crowned Miss Universe 2018, won that year, but she did not go home empty-handed. Manalo was given the chance to wear the Philippine sash in the Japan-based Miss International competition, where she placed first runner-up.
Just as many people thought that her pageant journey was over, Manalo returned to the scene in 2024 via Miss Universe Philippines. She joined the relatively new pageant, which is separate from Binibining Pilipinas, but fell short of winning the top crown.
As Miss Universe Philippines 2024 second runner-up, Manalo was chosen to compete in the inaugural Miss Cosmo pageant in Vietnam. She ended her journey in the Top 10 to the shock of many of her fans, as she was considered a standout up until the coronation night.
Ahtisa Manalo in the Miss Universe 2025 swimsuit competition. Miss Universe Philippines/Facebook
But Manalo was not yet done. The following year, she returned to the Miss Universe Philippines stage and finally claimed the title she has been aiming for since 2018.
As expected, Manalo did not waste this rare opportunity to represent the Philippines in Miss Universe, widely known as the Super Bowl of pageants. Crowds roared every time she emerges on stage, where she showcased her confidence, wit, and pasarela skills.
During the question and answer round, the Filipina said she hopes to use Miss Universe as a platform to help youth from low-income backgrounds.
Ahtisa Manalo during the evening gown competition. Miss Universe Philippines/Facebook
Brands and personalities tied to the Philippines played an important role in the 74th Miss Universe, further showing how the country has become a powerhouse in the world of pageantry.
The delegates wore swimsuits by Bench, a first for the 38-year-old Filipino brand. Bench provided two swimsuit designs: the "Power of Love" line featuring the colors of the LGBTQIA+ flag for the preliminary competition, and the "Sky of Thailand" collection inspired by the pageant's host country.
The crown was made by Jewelmer, Philippine Airlines was an airline sponsor, veteran performer Louie Heredia sat as one of the judges, and this year's backstage hosts are also well-loved by Filipinos. Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel is the first Filipino-American to win the title, while Dayanara Torres built a showbiz career in the Philippines in the '90s after being crowned Miss Universe in 1993. -- With reports from Agence France-Presse
TOP 5
Thailand
Philippines
Venezuela
Mexico
Cote D' Ivoire
TOP 12
Chile
Colombia
Cuba
Guadeloupe
Mexico
Puerto Rico
Venezuela
China
Philippines
Thailand
Malta
Cote D' Ivoire
TOP 30
India
Guadeloupe
China
Thailand
Dominican Republic
Brazil
Rwanda
Cote D' Ivoire
Colombia
Netherlands
Cuba
Bangladesh
Japan
Puerto Rico
USA
Mexico
Philippines
Zimbabwe
Costa Rica
Malta
Chile
Canada
Miss Universe Latina
Croatia
Venezuela
Guatemala
Palestine
Nicaragua
France
Paraguay (People's Choice)