What's going on with Miss Universe? From stage falls to mass walkouts, here's everything to know about the 2025 scandals

In recent weeks, the much-anticipated Miss Universe pageant has been engulfed in scandal – and even the winner announcement was a shocking end to a twisted tale.

Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, was ultimately crowned the winner of Miss Universe just days after her fiery exchange with a pageant executive caused a mass walkout from the contestants.

Shortly after, the contest was dealt another blow with not one, but two judges resigning from the panel days before the pageant was set to begin.

Then, Dr Gabrielle Henry, Miss Universe Jamaica, fell from the main stage during the evening gown round of the preliminary competition in Bangkok, Thailand

For those whose pageantry knowledge is limited to Sandra Bullock's Miss Congeniality, here's a complete breakdown of all the scandals that rocked the 2025 competition.

So... what, exactly, happened at Miss Universe 2025?

Let's start from the beginning. At a pre-pageant 'sashing' ceremony held ahead of Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand, Thai Pageant Executive Nawat Itsaraggrisil reportedly chose to publicly single out Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch.

In a livestream of the event – still available to watch on Miss Thailand's Facebook page – he accused her of failing to participate in promotional material for the host country in the leadup to the event.

The pair then came to verbal blows, with Itsaraggrisil resorting to calling Bosch names and prompting a mass walk-out by fellow Miss Universe contestants.

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What, exactly, was said?

During the livestreamed event, Itsaraggrisil confronted Bosch, asking her why she hadn't participated in a group photoshoot alongside her fellow contestants.

He was heard saying, "I heard you're not going to support everything about Thailand, is that true?"

He then went on to berate her for obeying direct orders from the Mexican national director over Thai Pageant officials, saying, "If you follow the orders from your national director, you are a dumb head."

When Bosch attempted to respond to his comments, he cut her off and reportedly said, "I didn't hear you asking to talk."

In a press conference, Itsaragrisil said he didn't use the phrase "dumb head" as reported.

"I didn't say 'dumb head', even one second. I said 'damage'. If she believed and listened to [her] national director, it's 'damage'," he said.

How did Miss Mexico respond?

In response, Bosch was seen getting to her feet to address Itsaraggrisil.

"I have a voice. You are not respecting me as a woman," she said.

"I'm here representing my country and it's not my fault you have problems with my organisation."

She later fronted to Thai media, voicing her disappointment in the interaction, saying, "Your director is not respectful. He called me dumb."

She then went on to make a broader statement regarding the exchange, saying, "We're in the 21st century, and I'm not a doll to be made up, styled and have my clothes changed. I came here to be a voice for all the women and all the girls."

The contestants' subsequent walkout underscored their overall disapproval of the way Miss Mexico was treated.

What has the Miss Universe Organisation said about it all?

The organisation has since addressed the walkout, issuing public statements condemning Itsaraggrisil's behaviour.

In a video statement, MUO President Raul Rocha Cantu said, "I will not allow the values of respect and dignity towards women to be violated."

"Unfortunately, Nuwat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host.

"I would like to make it clear my great indignation toward Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fátima Bosch, whom he humiliated, insulted and he showed a lack of respect, in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenceless woman, trying to silence and exclude her.

"Nawat, you need to stop."

The organisation went on to reaffirm its commitment to "diversity, empowerment and inclusion", insisting all scheduled events would go ahead as planned.

Who has resigned from Miss Universe?

As if a mass walkout was not enough, Miss Universe was dealt yet another blow just three days out from the start of the competition.

Not one, but two members of this year's official judging panel resigned following accusations that have emerged of the pageant pre-selecting finalists.

Omar Harfouch and Claude Makélélé both separately announced their resignations from the selection committee on Instagram.

Why did Omar Harfouch quit the Miss Universe Pageant?

Harfouch, a Lebanese composer and musician, announced he was quitting in dramatic fashion, labelling the pageant a "charade" in a series of scathing Instagram stories.

He alleged a an "informal jury" – including members with personal relationships to some of the contestants – had been assembled in secret to select the 30 Miss Universe finalists.

"Two days before the final, a *secret vote* was held to pre-select 30 contestants out of the 136. This vote was carried out by individuals who are *not official members of the jury*" Harfouch wrote.

"I could not stand before the public and television cameras, pretending to legitimize a vote I never took part in."

He then reportedly made the decision to resign following a "disrespectful conversation" regarding the selection with Miss Universe Pageant owner Paul Rocha.

What has the second judge Claude Makélélé said?

The second judge to resign from the Miss Universe judging panel, Claude Makélélé, has not been quite as forthcoming with his reasons for doing so.

The former professional football player also took to Instagram, but didn't give too much away in regards to the reason behind his untimely departure.

"It is with regret that I must announce that I won't be able to attend the Miss Universe 2025 event due to unforeseen personal reasons," Makélélé said.

Despite his resignation, the ex professional footballer clarified that he has no personal qualms with the Miss Universe organisation.

"This was a difficult decision, as I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard... I hope to be able to contribute in the future under better circumstances."

One of the top comments on Makélélé's post read: "Good choice. Integrity is more important than being part of a morally bankrupt mess."

Did the pageant or its contestants responded?

The Miss Universe Organisation later posted a statement refuting Harfouch's bombshell claims, insisting that "all judging procedures for the 74th Miss Universe competition remain official, transparent, and fully governed by MUO protocols."

"The Miss Universe Organisation firmly clarifies that no impromptu jury has been created," the official statement concluded.

One anonymous contestant told People that she was "heartbroken" to hear of the allegations, and felt disheartened about the prospect of finalists being pre-selected.

"Many of us learned through social media, not the Miss Universe Organization, that the preliminary selection for the Top 30 was not only conducted without the presence of the official judges, but before we've even competed on stage," the contestant said.

She went on to say that many contestants had made significant sacrifices to take part in the pageant, all because of the respect they had for the Miss Universe name.

"We did this because we believed in the integrity of this organization and the mission they told us they stood for."

So, what happened to Miss Jamaica?

The controversy-plagued Miss Universe competition faced another incident in Bangkok when Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, was hospitalised after falling off the stage during the prelimanry evening gown category.

Shocking footage showed the moment Henry, strutting in an orange gown with a floaty chiffon train, accidentally stepped off the runway's edge.

Screams and gasps could be heard from the audience as she dropped to the ground.

Henry was rushed to the Paolo Rangsit in the Thai capital and did not sustain any life-threatening injuries, but it only added to the headlines of the drama-filled event.

"Dr Gabrielle Henry, Miss Universe Jamaica 2025, experienced a fall from the main stage during the evening gown round," a statement from her team read.

"Medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries; however, they continue to conduct tests to ensure her full recovery.

"We kindly ask everyone to stay upbeat, lift her in prayer, and send positive thoughts as she receives the necessary medical care."

And, finally, who won?

On Thursday, Miss Universe crowned its winner for 2025 as Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch.

The decision might come as a surprise to many, particularly after the controversy that hit the competition involving Miss Mexico in the early stages of the competition.

The top 30 took to the stage for the swimsuit portion of the event, before a top 12 were announced.

Following this, the final dozen entered the eveningwear portion of the finale – where one contestant, Miss Jamaica, accidentally fell from the stage.

Closing out the night, 12 became the final five – Thailand, Phillipines, Venezuela, Mexico and Côte d'Ivoire.

They took part in a Q&A, but ultimately it was Miss Mexico that took the crown.

The crowning marked the end of what was an extremely controversial season, and perhaps the most memorable to date.

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