The Miss Universe organisation is confronting its most severe crisis in decades following a disastrous 2025 competition that saw multiple contestants relinquish their titles, judges resign over rigging allegations, and executives dismissed amid accusations of racism and unprofessional behaviour.
Contestants Abandon Their Crowns
The turmoil began when Estonia's Brigitta Schaback became the first contestant to step down from her position, making the announcement via Instagram on November 23. She cited irreconcilable differences with National Director Natalie Korneitsik as her primary reason for departing.
The situation escalated dramatically when Olivia Yace, who held the prestigious Miss Universe Africa and Oceania title, announced her resignation just one day later. Despite placing fourth in the competition, many observers believed Yace deserved the crown. In her Instagram statement on November 24, she declared: 'To fully reach my potential, I must remain firmly anchored in my values [and] guiding principles that pave the way toward excellence.'
The controversy deepened when President Raúl Rocha participated in a livestream discussing Yace's failure to win, attributing it to visa complications. He claimed she would have required 175 visas to fulfil her duties as Miss Universe and suggested she might have been confined to reigning from her apartment due to travel restrictions.
Executive Dismissal and Judge Resignations
Executive Nawat Itsaragrisil faced dismissal after publicly confronting Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch during a livestream for skipping a sponsorship photoshoot. The incident, which went viral, prompted a walkout by other contestants and led to allegations of unprofessional conduct.
Itsaragrisil denied calling Bosch a 'dummy', telling the Daily Mail: 'I have already apologised for my part. However, neither the contestant involved nor MUO [Miss Universe Organisation] has taken any responsibility.'
Further damaging the competition's credibility, two judges - Lebanese-French businessman Omar Harfouch and French football star Claude Makélélé - resigned days before the finale. Harfouch made explosive allegations on Instagram, claiming Rocha had instructed him not to vote for certain countries, including 'all African nations, several Asian countries, and some European nations'.
Harfouch described the exclusion of Yace as 'not only discriminatory, but purely racist', adding that Rocha had mentioned the winner would travel on his private jet throughout her reign.
Leadership Crisis and Future Uncertainties
The scandals have prompted President Raúl Rocha to seek an exit from the organisation, telling Mexican journalist Adela Micha he is 'looking for someone to pass [his stake] on to' and expressing being 'so fed up with all the talk'.
Complicating matters further, co-owner Jakkaphong 'Anne' Jakrajutatip faces an arrest warrant in Thailand for failing to appear in court for an unrelated fraud case. The transgender businesswoman was notably absent from this year's competition in Bangkok.
The event also saw contestant Gabrielle Henry, Miss Jamaica, hospitalised after falling from the stage during preliminary rounds, though she sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Industry Experts Sound Alarm
Pageant professionals express grave concerns about the competition's future. Lauren Taylor, who provides PR services for beauty queens, told the Daily Mail: 'Women don't walk away from dream opportunities unless something is fundamentally wrong.'
Cherelle Mukoko, former Miss Jamaica UK and Miss Universe London winner, warned: 'Moments like these can impact how people view the brand's longevity and stability. I do think this edition of the competition will go down in history, and not necessarily for the reasons the organisation would have hoped.'
LaToya Evans, who worked with late Miss USA winner Cheslie Kryst, observed that pageantry has evolved significantly, with contestants becoming more vocal and socially aware. She noted that the era of 'small town young women only being discovered because of a beauty contest' has passed, with modern participants valuing alignment with their personal values above all.
As the Miss Universe Organisation grapples with multiple crises, industry experts agree that without substantial internal reforms and renewed commitment to contestant welfare, the future of this once-prestigious competition remains deeply uncertain.
