Miss Mexico crowned Miss Universe 2025, praised for standing up to a host’s bullying

Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday a dramatic victory for a 25yearold at the centre of the turbulent 74th staging of the popular beauty pageant in Bangkok who stood up to public bullying from one of the hostsThe first runnerup was 29year old Praveenar Singh of Thailand and 25yearold Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser of Venezuela placed thirdRounding up the finishers were Ahtisa Manalo 28 of the Philippines and 27yearold Olivia Yace of Ivory Coast who came fifthThe bad vibes at this years event sprang from a sharptongued scolding of the Mexican contestant Bosch which sparked a controversy marked by a walkout feminist solidarity and a teary melodramatic apology from the local organiser who set it all offAt the livestreamed sashing ceremony for virtually all 130 contestants on November 4 Thai national director Nawat Itsaragrisil hectored Bosch for allegedly not following his guidelines for taking part in local promotional activities He called security when she spoke up to defend herselfBosch walked out of the room joined by several others in a show of solidarity including Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaeligr Theilvig of DenmarkWhat your director did is not respectful he called me dumb an unbowed Bosch told Thai reporters If it takes away your dignity you need to goThe Miss Universe Organization president Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantu released a statement condemning Nawats conduct as public aggression and serious abuseEven Mexicos first woman president Claudia Sheinbaum piled on saying at a news conference in her countrys capital that she wanted to give recognition to Miss Mexico for voicing her disagreement in a dignified wayIt seems to me that it is an example of how women should raise our voices Sheinbaum saidSheinbaum recalled being told in the past a common phrase that women look more beautiful when they keep quietWe women look more beautiful when we raise our voice and participate because that has to do with the recognition of our rights she saidNawat later made apologies for his actions appearing both tearful and defiant at the same timeIf anyone was affected and not comfortable it happened I am so sorry he said in front of the contestants He then turned to them and said Its passed OK Are you happyBoschs official Miss Universe biography says she studied fashion in Mexico and Italy and has focused on creating sustainable designs and working with discarded materialsIt says she has volunteered with sick children promoted environmental awareness and engaged in supported migrants and mental health issuesThis years competition also saw a report that two judges had quit with one of them suggesting that there was an element of rigging to the contest The allegation was deniedSeparately Thai police investigated the alleged illegal promotion of online casinos as part of the events publicity a turn of events that may have been connected with the organisers feudMishaps and controversies are not rare for the pageant The 2021 event attracted criticism because it was held in Israel to the dismay of supporters of the Palestinian causeAn example of a minor misstep literally occurred Wednesday when Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Henry fell off the stage during the evening gown competition She was not badly hurtThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever