By 
Mexico’s Fatima Bosch has been crowned Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, ending a week marked by high drama, global fan outrage, and an unexpected show of solidarity among contestants.
Bosch, 25, a humanitarian and volunteer worker, emerged as a fan favourite after a tense incident during a pre-pageant meeting in which she was openly berated by a Thai pageant director.
CNN reports that the confrontation triggered a walkout by several contestants, instantly elevating Bosch to a symbol of poise and courage—and rallying massive online support in her favour.
Her victory was sealed on Friday night when last year’s titleholder, Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig, placed the crown on her head before a cheering crowd.
Thailand’s Praveenar Singh finished as first runner-up, followed by Venezuela’s Stephany Abasali, Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo, and Ivory Coast’s Olivia Yacé, rounding out an exceptionally competitive top five.
Read more: Two miss universe judges quit as rigging allegations rock pageant
Often described as the “Super Bowl” of beauty pageants, Miss Universe attracts millions of viewers each year. Delegates from 120 countries competed this year, selected through national pageants licensed by the Miss Universe Organization.
Thailand, the 2025 host, showcased its vibrant and commercially powerful pageant culture—one of the biggest in Asia alongside the Philippines.
This year’s edition also made history: Nadeen Ayoub became the first woman to represent the Palestinian people on the Miss Universe stage, advancing impressively into the top 30 before being eliminated.
The finale, hosted by American comedian Steve Byrne, opened with a high-energy performance by Thai singer Jeff Satur.
The competition narrowed from 120 contestants to 30, then to 12 after the swimwear round, and finally to the top 5 following the evening gown segment.
Despite the controversy surrounding the director’s outburst earlier in the week, the night ended on a triumphant note for Bosch—whose grace under pressure and unwavering composure helped define one of the most talked-about Miss Universe editions in recent history.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s colours lit up the Miss World 2025 stage as the nation’s representative, Kunda Mwamulima, stepped out in a powerful national costume that left the audience both mesmerised and emotional.
In a moving tribute shared ahead of the showcase on her official Facebook page, Mwamulima said she carried her country’s honour “with joy and pride,” revealing the deep meaning stitched into every detail of her costume—a warrior’s attire inspired by the brave Ngoni women of Eastern Zambia.
“This piece is worn in honour of the brave Ngoni women whose strength and spirit echo through generations. Today, I wear it to celebrate their heritage and to stand with the warrior women of my country who continue the fight for dignity, justice, and life itself,” she said.
The costume, rich in symbolism, paid homage to the countless Zambian women leading battles in their communities—from those working to end early marriages and pushing for political inclusion, to those raising awareness on menstrual dignity, breast cancer, and safe motherhood.
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