Controversy erupts as Mexico's Fátima Bosch wins Miss Universe 2025: deserved or sympathy crown?

Fátima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday, November 21, in Thailand.

Taking to social media, the pageant shared multiple videos online of her getting crowned and celebrating her victory with other contestants.

"And the new Miss Universe is @fatimaboschfdz," they wrote.

While this should be a moment of celebration for Miss Universe fans, it has unfortunately sparked division. Some fans have suggested that Bosch's victory was a result of sympathy, which has caused a rift among supporters.

Why do fans claim that it is a sympathy win? You might ask. 

Well, there was some drama at the beginning of the competition, and Bosch was at the centre of it because Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly criticised Bosch for her non-participation in promotional activities.

Every beauty queen had a task to do these promotional activities, but Bosch allegedly did not participate, which then led to a huge fight between the pageant, Itsaragrisil and Bosch.

In multiple videos that circulated on social media, Itsaragrisil can be seen calling out Bosch, shouting at her in front of other contestants, and even calling security to kick her out of the sashing ceremony.

Bosch then later addressed the media as she was leaving the premises and said that Itsaragrisil called her “dumb”.

“What the director did is not respectful, he called me dumb because he has problems with the organisation, and I think that’s not fair because I’m here and I do everything okay, I don’t mess with anyone,” she said.

The drama was certainly a lot, and now fans are divided with her victory because some state that she won because of the drama, while others claim that contestants like Miss Universe Côte d’Ivoire and Miss Universe Philippines were much more deserving.

“I have nothing against the winner, but the outcome just didn’t match the performances we saw,” a social media user shared.

“The most undeserving winner in the history of Miss Universe,” a user wrote.

“I don’t think this win is fulfilling. Winning the title just because you have connections and knowing that other girls performed better is embarrassing. The 3rd and 4th runner-ups should have been the top 2!” a user added.

This year’s pageant was just filled with drama, and it just kept on piling up leading up to the crowning.

From the Itsaragrisil and Bosch drama, to a contestant Miss Universe Jamaica falling off the stage, to certain selection committee members withdrawing and now with fans claiming that Bosch’s win was certainly not fair.

Do you think the Miss Universe pageant will maintain its credibility in the future?