2025 Miss Universe Chaos: Contestants Expose Drama

The 2025 Miss Universe pageant, held in Thailand, unraveled into one of its most chaotic editions in 74 years. Contestants reported grueling conditions, favoritism toward certain nations, inconsistent rules, and an ever-changing judging process. A confrontation between director Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch on the first day set the tone, leading to walkouts and emotional distress among the 120 participants.

Accusations included pressure for sponsorship posts, lack of chaperones, and secret use of stylists by some. The judging panel faced dropouts and rumors of conflicts, while fan voting via the app caused confusion over its impact. Fátima Bosch was crowned on November 21 amid boos, prompting questions about fairness. Leadership issues escalated with legal troubles for owners Raul Rocha and Anne Jakrajutatip, and calls for a complete overhaul from contestants like Miss Haiti Melissa Sapini.

Despite the glamour, the event highlighted a disconnect from its empowerment roots, with some queens vowing not to encourage future participation.

The 2025 Miss Universe competition began with high expectations for 120 contestants traveling to Thailand for events in Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya. Many viewed it as a childhood dream, with participants ranging from seasoned queens to first-timers like Miss Bonaire Nicole Peiliker-Visser, inspired by her daughter's Mini Miss Universe win, and Miss Hungary Kincső Dezsény, seeking purpose beyond modeling.

Pre-Competition Tensions

The event was organized by Nawat Itsaragrisil, known as "Papa Nawat," a Thai businessman with a history of controversies at Miss Grand International, which he founded in 2013. His framework emphasized beauty, body, brains, and business. Early plans included a fan-voted "special dinner" with Itsaragrisil and Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig, but concerns arose that attendance could influence judging.

Miss Canada Jaime VandenBerg expressed discomfort, stating she did not "condone what feels like women being auctioned off for dinner with a man." The dinner was canceled as an "unauthorized activity," and Raul Rocha, the organization's president, clarified that only four traditional categories—evening gown, swimsuit, national costume, and interview—would count for judging.

Following the letter, more than 30 contestants refused sponsorship events, believing them optional. A spokesperson for Itsaragrisil noted that sponsor activities are standard, providing visibility in return for contributions.

The Sashing Ceremony Confrontation

On November 4, tensions peaked during the sashing ceremony. Itsaragrisil accused countries of refusing social media sponsorship posts, calling out specific nations. When he targeted Fátima Bosch, she responded, "You are not respecting me as a woman," leading him to call security. Bosch exited, followed by dozens, including Miss Armenia Peggy Garabekian and VandenBerg.

Andromeda Peters, Miss Ghana 2025 and a licensed therapist, led a breathwork exercise to calm distraught contestants: Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four, and exhale. "We were all distraught," Peters said. Doors were shut, trapping some like Miss Malaysia Chloe Lim, who felt anxious about the event's legitimacy.

Itsaragrisil's spokesperson explained the door closure due to media outside creating a volatile environment. Rocha limited Itsaragrisil's involvement, but he soon returned. Itsaragrisil apologized the next day, saying, "I am human. I didn't want to do anything like that."

Contestants faced intense schedules, traveling multiple events daily, including flights and social media posts, while maintaining perfect appearances without chaperones or stylists. Many woke at 3 a.m. for preparation, some sleeping in makeup. Food poisoning affected several, yet they pushed through, like Dezsény, hospitalized for four days but attending the final.

Lack of Support and Philanthropy

Unlike past years with three philanthropy events, 2025 had none, focusing instead on sponsorships and the "Beyond the Crown" digital platform, where contestants filmed advocacy videos. Miss India Manika Vishwakarma appreciated fan interactions, but others like Garabekian felt sidelined: "I'm a representative of my country, and you're telling me, 'Hey, hold this dietary protein powder or take photos with this luggage.'"

Hotel lobbies swarmed with fans and bloggers without security, which VandenBerg called "kind of crazy." Onstage host Steve Byrne criticized the treatment: "These girls are cooped up for almost 30 days... Is anybody thinking about these women?" A tragic incident during preliminaries saw Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry fall offstage, remaining hospitalized with serious injuries.

Byrne noted a "dark cloud" over the event, worsened by the accident. Online backlash targeted those who stayed during the walkout, with Nicole Peiliker-Visser facing harassment and feeling the organization neglected mental health.

"Sash factor" favored countries with strong fan bases, providing more sponsors and attention. Official sponsors prioritized these for photo shoots, as Peiliker-Visser observed: "They really are looking for women who are popular and have lots of followers." Contestants from smaller nations paid thousands out-of-pocket.

Sponsorship Pressures and Rule-Breaking

Women were questioned about missing sponsorship posts, which Garabekian found uncomfortable, feeling like a "tool for sponsorship obligations." Some secretly used makeup artists and stylists, despite bans, hurting morale among others. After complaints, staff acknowledged favoritism but promised action; rule-breakers still advanced to the top 30.

Sapini recounted the meeting: "They said, 'Girls, we understand there's a lot of favoritism... We're looking for small countries with big hearts, too.'" Itsaragrisil's spokesperson called the sponsor checklist standard, emphasizing the organization is not charitable.

Confusing Fan Voting

The app allowed votes after ads or purchases for categories like best skin and "People's Choice," securing a top 30 spot. However, Rocha's statement limited judging to four categories, while the app claimed votes contributed 10% to top 30 scores, causing confusion. Peiliker-Visser noted her director was told votes wouldn't count, given Bonaire's small population of 26,000.

Sapini highlighted the burden on fans in poverty-stricken Haiti: "People in these villages collected their money... But the voting system was all over the place."

Judging Uncertainties

Judges dropped out days before finals: composer Omar Harfouch alleged a "secret vote," soccer star Claude Makélélé cited personal reasons, and Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie exited earlier. Rumors swirled around James Irvin Healy, a "Beyond the Crown" judge linked to Miss Paraguay Yanina Gómez, who won that and People's Choice; his photo was removed from announcements.

Interviews featured an eight-person panel including staff and Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig. Peters, competing since 2014, said, "I've never done a pageant where the staff was judging you." No preliminary committee was announced, unlike past years.

The finals started at 8 a.m. local time, with contestants arriving at 1 a.m.. Peters described a "survivor mode" atmosphere. Fátima Bosch beat Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh, but boos filled the stadium, possibly for local support or shock over Bosch's earlier clash.

Post-Crowning Doubts

Byrne foresaw scrutiny for Bosch: "This woman is going to be put through the wringer." Natalie Glebova, a judge, posted Singh as "My winner!" and noted no audit firm, vowing not to judge again. Harfouch claimed Rocha instructed a vote for Bosch. Allegations linked Bosch's father to Rocha's business, denied by both; Rocha cited a 2023 Pemex contract but no connection.

Rocha later mentioned factors beyond four categories, including passport strength. He said a Côte d'Ivoire passport, needing visas for 175 countries, would hinder travel: "She's going to be the Miss Universe who spent a whole year in an apartment." Olivia Yacé resigned as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, citing misaligned values. Contestants like Miss Turks and Caicos Bereniece Dickenson argued, "We need to be valued by our work... not on the strength of our passport."

Organizational Turmoil

Since 2022 ownership change, controversies mounted. Rocha sought to sell his 50% stake, stating he was "fed up." Co-owner JKN Global Group's founder Anne Jakrajutatip faced fraud allegations, with an arrest warrant issued November 26. Rocha faced warrants for alleged trafficking and theft; his accounts were frozen by December 5. A Mexican official found no organized crime ties to Miss Universe.

Rumors of a sale to TCG Social Media Group were denied. Contestants called for change: Sapini said, "Everyone has to go, absolutely everyone." Miss Bulgaria Gaby Guha urged transparency, while VandenBerg emphasized the dream's power. However, Peiliker-Visser declared, "This world is insane," and Sapini deemed it "despicable," discouraging future participation. The pageant, once a symbol of empowerment, now faces a reckoning to restore trust.