Written by Isabella Baute Arboleda
The 74th edition of Miss Universe took place on Friday November 21 from Thailand. This year’s show centered around the theme “The Power Of Love,” a message meant to highlight empowerment, unity, and resilience. With 120 contestants from around the globe, the event promised a celebration of beauty and culture on an international scale.
However, this year’s edition quickly became one of the most talked-about in Miss Universe history, not only for its scale, but for the controversies that surrounded it. Tensions surfaced even before coronation night, including a dispute involving Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch (Miss Universe 2025) and pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil. He claimed Bosch had not participated sufficiently in the event, an accusation she publicly rejected as unfair.
Further complications arose when two judges resigned. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch stepped down after confronting the organizers about a supposed “secret vote,” and French football manager Claude Makélélé resigned for personal reasons. Although unrelated to scandal, the competition’s schedule and activities were also adjusted due to a mourning period in Thailand for the former queen’s cohort, adding another layer of unpredictability to the event.
These and more issues collectively shifted attention away from the pageant’s central mission: empowering women through a platform where they can amplify their voices and causes. This sense of purpose felt diminished in this edition, especially as many viewers expressed frustration with the final outcome. Despite the organization’s multi-stage selection process, the widespread dissatisfaction suggests a noticeable disconnect between the Miss Universe organization and its global audience.
Even so, the contestants themselves brought exceptional strength to the competition. Each woman arrived in Thailand prepared to represent her country with grace, intelligence, and cultural pride. The new Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch, emerged from a competitive edition. While she now faces the challenge of rebuilding public trust following her controversies surrounding her win, she has the year ahead to demonstrate why she earned the crown and reconnect the audience with the pageant’s vision.
Despite everything, the 74th edition became one of the most watched events in Miss Universe history, reaffirming its global impact. Yet the controversies that unfolded overshadowed many of the competitions strongest elements, leaving this edition remembered more for its challenges that its achievements
