The 74th Miss Universe pageant concluded with a dramatic finale in Bangkok, Thailand, crowning Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch as the winner after weeks of controversy and unexpected twists. This year’s competition featured representatives from 120 countries, showcasing beauty, intelligence, and advocacy on the global stage. From a contestant walkout to judging controversies, Miss Universe 2025 will be remembered as one of the most eventful editions in the pageant’s history.
Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch crowned as Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand
Miss Universe 2025 Winners: The Complete Top 10 Finalists
The 74th Miss Universe pageant showcased exceptional talent from around the world, with contestants demonstrating poise, intelligence, and advocacy throughout the competition. After preliminary rounds including swimwear, evening gown, and interview segments, the judges selected the top 10 finalists who would compete for the crown.
The Top 10 finalists of Miss Universe 2025 during the evening gown competition
Miss Universe 2025 Top 10 Finalists
- Winner: Fátima Bosch (Mexico)
- 1st Runner-Up: Praveenar Singh (Thailand)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Stephany Abasali (Venezuela)
- 3rd Runner-Up: Ahtisa Manalo (Philippines)
- 4th Runner-Up: Olivia Yacé (Ivory Coast)
- Top 10 Finalist: Audrey Eckert (USA)
- Top 10 Finalist: Nadeen Ayoub (Palestine)
- Top 10 Finalist: Andrea Valero (Spain)
- Top 10 Finalist: Gabrielle Henry (Jamaica)
- Top 10 Finalist: Jaime VandenBerg (Canada)
Miss Universe 2025 Winner: Fátima Bosch of Mexico
Fátima Bosch, a 25-year-old humanitarian and volunteer from Mexico, captured the hearts of judges and audiences alike with her grace, intelligence, and unwavering authenticity. Her journey to the crown was particularly remarkable following a public confrontation with pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil that sparked a contestant walkout in solidarity with her.
Fátima Bosch representing Mexico during the evening gown competition
Background and Achievements
Prior to winning Miss Universe, Bosch established herself as a dedicated humanitarian with a focus on women’s empowerment initiatives in Mexico. Her platform throughout the competition emphasized authenticity and standing up for one’s values, which resonated strongly with judges and viewers worldwide.
During the final question round, when asked how she would use the Miss Universe platform to empower young girls, Bosch delivered a powerful message: “Believe in the power of your authenticity. Your dreams matter, your heart matters. Never let anyone make you doubt your worth.”
The Crowning Moment
The emotional crowning ceremony took place at Impact Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, where outgoing Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark placed the crown on Bosch’s head. The moment was particularly significant given the controversies that had surrounded the pageant in the weeks leading up to the finale.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated Bosch’s victory, praising her for speaking up against injustice: “What I liked about her, aside from everything else, is that she speaks up when she feels there’s an injustice against her. That’s an example for all Mexicans and for women.”
Fátima Bosch taking her first walk as Miss Universe 2025
The Runners-Up: Thailand, Venezuela, Philippines, and Ivory Coast
The competition for the Miss Universe 2025 crown was fierce, with exceptional candidates from around the world making it to the final stages. The runners-up demonstrated remarkable poise, intelligence, and dedication to their platforms throughout the three-week competition.
1st Runner-Up: Praveenar Singh (Thailand)
Representing the host country, 29-year-old Praveenar Singh captivated audiences with her elegance and thoughtful responses during the question rounds. As Thailand’s representative, she enjoyed tremendous home-country support throughout the competition and came remarkably close to securing the crown.
Praveenar Singh representing Thailand, 1st Runner-Up
2nd Runner-Up: Stephany Abasali (Venezuela)
Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser, 25, continued Venezuela’s strong tradition in international pageants by securing the 2nd runner-up position. Known for her advocacy work and commanding stage presence, Abasali impressed judges throughout the preliminary competitions and final rounds.
Stephany Abasali representing Venezuela, 2nd Runner-Up
3rd Runner-Up: Ahtisa Manalo (Philippines)
The Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo made her country proud by securing a top-five placement. During her final interview, Manalo shared her 18-year journey in pageantry and how it shaped her into the confident woman she is today. Her authentic responses and elegant presence earned her significant support from the pageant-loving Filipino audience.
4th Runner-Up: Olivia Yacé (Ivory Coast)
Completing the top five was Olivia Yacé from Ivory Coast, who made history as one of the highest-placing African contestants in recent years. Her powerful presence and advocacy for education in developing nations resonated with judges and audiences alike.
The top five finalists of Miss Universe 2025 during the final competition
Highlights and Controversies of Miss Universe 2025
The 74th Miss Universe pageant will be remembered not only for its glamour but also for the unprecedented controversies and dramatic moments that unfolded before and during the competition.
The Walkout Controversy
In early November, a livestreamed pre-pageant meeting showed Thai pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berating Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch for allegedly not posting enough promotional content. When Bosch objected to the treatment, Nawat called security to escort her out, prompting other contestants to walk out in solidarity.
This incident went viral globally and earned Bosch widespread support, including from Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised her for standing up against injustice.
Judging Controversy
Days before the finale, judge Omar Harfouch resigned, claiming the pageant was rigged with an “impromptu jury” that had pre-selected the top 30 contestants. Former French soccer star Claude Makélélé and Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie also stepped down from judging duties.
The Miss Universe Organization denied these allegations, stating that “all competition evaluations continue to follow the established, transparent, and supervised MUO protocols.”
Miss Jamaica’s Fall
During the preliminary evening gown competition, Jamaica’s Gabrielle Henry took a frightening tumble off the stage and had to be carried away on a stretcher. Pageant officials later reported that she had not broken any bones and was receiving medical care.
Despite this setback, Henry recovered sufficiently to continue in the competition and secured a place in the top 10 finalists.
Miss Universe contestants walking out in solidarity with Miss Mexico during the pre-pageant controversy
National Costume Showcase
Despite the controversies, the pageant delivered spectacular moments, particularly during the national costume showcase. Contestants donned elaborate outfits representing their countries’ heritage and culture. Miss USA Audrey Eckert wore an impressive bald eagle costume designed by Simon Villalba, while Miss Spain Andrea Valero’s costume was also highly praised for its creativity and cultural significance.
Miss USA Audrey Eckert in her elaborate bald eagle national costume
Historic Representation
The 2025 pageant marked a historic moment with Nadeen Ayoub becoming the first woman to represent Palestinian people at Miss Universe. She advanced to the top 30 semifinalists, bringing significant visibility to Palestinian representation on the global stage.
Nadeen Ayoub, the first representative of Palestine at Miss Universe
Miss Universe 2025: A Pageant in Transition
The 74th Miss Universe pageant took place during a period of significant transition for the organization. Following ownership changes and leadership restructuring, the pageant faced challenges in maintaining its traditional format while adapting to modern expectations.
Organizational Changes
The Miss Universe Organization saw a major leadership shakeup in 2025, with Thai media tycoon Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip stepping down as CEO in June. Guatemalan diplomat Mario Búcaro was appointed the new CEO just days before contestants arrived in Thailand.
This transition created what pageant experts described as a “very rocky transition” with leadership roles split between teams in Bangkok and Mexico, creating confusion about who was truly in charge of the pageant.
Evolution of the Pageant
The 2025 competition continued the progressive changes implemented in recent years, including allowing married women, mothers, and transgender women to compete. The age cap for contestants was also removed, reflecting the pageant’s efforts to modernize its approach.
While maintaining traditional elements like swimwear and evening gown competitions, the organization placed increased emphasis on contestants’ advocacy work and public speaking abilities, signaling a shift toward celebrating accomplishments beyond physical appearance.
Contestants during the swimwear competition round of Miss Universe 2025
The 2025 pageant also reflected the organization’s efforts to balance traditional pageant elements with modern media strategies. While television viewership has declined in recent years, the pageant has expanded its social media presence, with contestants building substantial followings on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Looking ahead, the Miss Universe Organization announced that the 75th edition of the pageant will be held in Puerto Rico in 2026, returning to a location with a rich pageant history and passionate fan base.
The Legacy of Miss Universe 2025
The 74th Miss Universe pageant will be remembered as a competition defined by both controversy and courage. Fátima Bosch’s journey from being publicly berated to wearing the crown represents a powerful narrative about standing up for oneself in the face of adversity.
Beyond the drama, Miss Universe 2025 showcased the evolving nature of beauty pageants in the modern era – balancing tradition with progressive values, navigating cultural differences, and adapting to changing media landscapes while still celebrating the accomplishments of women from around the world.
Miss Universe 2025 winner Fátima Bosch celebrating with fellow contestants after her victory
As the pageant prepares for its 75th anniversary edition in Puerto Rico, the events of Bangkok will undoubtedly influence how the organization approaches future competitions, particularly regarding contestant treatment, judging transparency, and cultural sensitivity in an increasingly global and connected world.
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Priyanka Pandey
Senior Research Editor · Top10Sense
Priyanka specializes in tech, consumer products, and digital trends. She combines hands-on testing, vendor interviews, and database research to create trustworthy “Top 10” rankings. Her work has been referenced by industry blogs and brand report pages.
