The coronation of Fátima Bosch of Mexico as Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok was supposed to be a night of celebration. Instead, it became the centre of a firestorm — judge resignations, allegations of manipulation, online wars between fandoms, and criminal investigations swirling around the organisation’s top leadership.

By the next morning, the question wasn’t “Who won?” — it was “Can Miss Universe still be trusted?”

The allegations: rigged, manipulated, and mishandled

Fans worldwide have been unusually unified in one sentiment: “Something didn’t feel right.”

Among the biggest reasons:

• Judges resigning before the finale, with at least one cryptically hinting at process issues.

• On-stage and backstage altercations circulating on social media.

• Delegation walkouts and complaints about inconsistent treatment.

• Leadership miscommunication, livestream rants, and contradictory official statements.

These were not small hiccups — they were structural cracks. And they pointed to one name repeatedly: Raul Rocha.

Raul Rocha: the controversy magnet at the centre of it all

Even before the coronation, Raul Rocha, co-owner and president of the Miss Universe Organization, was already drawing criticism — but 2025 magnified everything.

1. Criminal allegations

Mexican authorities filed charges linking Rocha to alleged trafficking networks (drugs, weapons, and fuel). Whether or not these allegations are proven in court, the optics are catastrophic for a global brand that markets empowerment and integrity.

(Public reporting via Mexican and US outlets — not yet legally resolved.)

2. “Followers-gate”: Rocha’s tone-deaf commentary

In a livestream, Rocha defended the pageant’s selection criteria by saying winners are not chosen for social-media following. He however praised her winner, Mexico’s Fatima Bosch that gained millions of followers right away but also commented that USA’s R’Bonney Gabriel “didn’t even have many followers” during her Miss Universe reign until now.

This comment backfired spectacularly.

3. R’Bonney Gabriel’s classy clapback

Gabriel responded with dignity, reminding fans that worthiness is measured by character, work ethic, and purpose — not Instagram metrics.

Her Filipino fanbase — one of the most powerful in global pageantry — swiftly mobilized.

Within 24 hours, they shot her past the 1-million-follower mark, a digital show of force aimed squarely at Rocha’s narrative.

It wasn’t just support.

It was a message: “You do not diminish our queen.”

4. Rocha hinting at selling the Miss Universe brand

In the middle of the chaos, Rocha publicly expressed being “fed up” with the negativity and stated he is considering selling the Miss Universe franchise.

To many observers — fans, sponsors, and pageant analysts — the reaction is the same:

He should. And he should do it immediately.

The brand cannot heal while its leadership is in the eye of every storm.

The Top 5 Finalists — excellence overshadowed by drama

Despite the turbulence, the Top 5 delivered strong performances, except, as fans noted, Miss Mexico:

Thailand’s Praveenar Singh places first runner-up
Venezuela’s Stephany Abasali is second runner-up
Philippines’s Ahtisa Manalo is third runner-up
Côte d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yacé is fourth runner-up

Fans are devastated with the low placement of the two strongest performers of the night, the Philippines and Côte d’Ivoire.

Philippines: Ahtisa Manalo — the fan favorite who became a national symbol

Ahtisa Manalo was already a standout, but her performance in Bangkok cemented her status as a modern Philippine pageant icon.

Elegant, articulate, and visually commanding, she was widely seen as the strongest finalist of the night. Many fans argue she won the public, if not the crown.

The homecoming proved it

While Mexico’s win was met with public indifference in Bangkok, Ahtisa’s return to the Philippines triggered massive crowds, banners, cheers, and nationwide pride.

She became a symbol — not just of beauty, but of how Filipinos rally behind someone who carries the flag with grace.

Côte d’Ivoire: Olivia Yacé — the queen with global respect

Olivia Yacé, already respected from previous pageants, delivered a poised and powerful run. Her placement in the Top 5 and continental win highlighted her strong international following.

But the post-coronation drama hit her too. In an instagram post after the finale, Yacé renounced her continental title after — a move that stunned fans and added fuel to accusations that contestants themselves were unhappy with the organisation’s internal chaos.

Mexico’s Fátima Bosch — a winner overshadowed by backlash

Fátima Bosch should have been celebrated. Instead, she is now in the uncomfortable position of being the “controversial winner.”

In Thailand — the host country — reports and fan videos show that during her public appearance the morning after her win, crowds barely reacted. Many didn’t even turn their heads as she walked past.

It was a stark contrast to the warmth shown toward other candidates — including Praveenar Singh (Thailand) and Olivia Yacé (Côte d’Ivoire).

The cold reception wasn’t about Bosch herself; it was a protest against the organization.

Unfortunately, the hate is being misdirected.

Fátima didn’t ask for the drama. She simply competed — and won under a cloud she didn’t create.

The road ahead — and why Miss Universe must change hands now

Miss Universe is at an inflection point.

Something deeper than fan wars is happening — trust is breaking.

Sponsors are watching. Broadcasters are watching. Delegates are watching.

And fans — the lifeblood of this brand — are tired of excuses, contradictions, and defensive livestreams from leadership.

This is why Raul Rocha’s public hint that he might sell the Miss Universe Organization may be the first step toward saving it.

But hinting is not enough.

If Miss Universe wants a future, it needs:

• New owners with clean reputations

• Transparent judging and scoring systems

• Stronger governance and communication

• Leadership that respects delegates — and fans

The crown still means something.

But the organisation carrying it is drowning in mistrust.

For Miss Universe to rise again, the transition must happen sooner, not later.

The contestants deserve better.

The fans deserve better.

And the idea of Miss Universe — a global platform for intelligence, culture, advocacy, and beauty — deserves leadership capable of restoring its dignity.