Miss Universe Pageant Edges Towards Closure Amidst Chaos and Controversies

Sat Nov 22 2025 07:06:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Miss Universe pageant in Thailand is set to crown a new queen following a chaotic season marked by dramatic walkouts and resignations, highlighting cultural tensions within the organization.

As Thailand prepares to host the Miss Universe pageant this Friday, the event is overshadowed by accusations of mistreatment, judge resignations, and controversies regarding its leadership. The transition to new ownership and the evolving role of beauty contests are captured in this turbulent final chapter of the season.

When the golden crown studded with diamonds and pearls is placed on the head of the new Miss Universe in Thailand on Friday, it will mark the end of an exceptionally chaotic edition.

In the days leading up to the glittering coronation in Bangkok, contestants alleging mistreatment walked out and two judges resigned with one claiming the contest is rigged.

The controversies, analysts say, underscore the cultural and strategic differences between the pageant's Thai and Mexican owners.

The crowning of the new Miss Universe, the 74th since 1952, also signals the resolve of an organisation to stay relevant and evolve from a once-a-year television spectacle to a media brand that is ready for TikTok.

Miss Universe, founded in the US, is one of the longest-running beauty pageants on the planet, alongside UK-based Miss World. It aims to provide a platform for women to promote global causes such as HIV and Aids awareness and education for children. The title can also be a springboard to become a local and international celebrity.

Thailand is hosting Miss Universe for the fourth time and its delegate this year is considered a frontrunner by fan websites. If Thai-Indian Praveenar Singh wins, she will be the country's third Miss Universe and the first since 1988.

However, the pageant events are being organised by Thai media mogul Nawat Itsaragrasil. Tensions escalated when Mr Nawat publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch for failing to promote the event, leading to a walkout by her and others in solidarity.

This culminated in a series of resignations from the judging panel, with claims of a rigged selection process surfacing. The Miss Universe Organisation has adamantly denied these allegations, asserting that an 'impromptu jury' had not been pre-selected.

As the pageant prepares for its event stop in Bangkok, the issues cast a long shadow over its attempt to redefine itself for a modern audience amid ongoing criticisms regarding its cultural representations. The future of Miss Universe hinges on balancing the traditional values of beauty with an evolving industry skewed towards inclusivity and social media influence.

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