Miss Universe Fátima Bosch speaks out after going viral as Miss Mexico

What was Fátima Bosch's response to the pageant director's insult?

How did recent scandals affect the Miss Universe 2025 pageant?

What allegations did judge Omar Harfouch make about the Miss Universe voting process?

Miss Universe Fátima Bosch is wearing her new title with pride after going viral in the process of getting there.

In a series of Instagram posts after winning the pageant as Miss Mexico, she wrote in Spanish on her verified account: “Today I reaffirmed that what God has destined for you, neither envy stops it, nor destiny aborts it, nor luck changes it. Long live Christ the King.”

A message posted in English on the Miss Universe account read: “Because every step you take leads to something greater, and fighting for your dreams while believing in yourself will always be worth it.”

The pageant shared portraits of her in crown and gown, captioned “She is, officially, our Miss Universe 2025” and a photo of her in bed the morning after her win, displaying her crown, sash and a bouquet of flowers.

Bosch, 25, received her crown from 2024 winner Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark during the pageant in Thailand on Friday, Nov. 21, coming ahead of first runner-up Miss Thailand, Praveenar Singh. The moment was vindicating for Bosch, who was the subject of one of a number of pageant scandals in recent weeks.

Miss Mexico's crowning came after Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil called her "stupid" during a livestreamed speech to contestants on Nov. 4, drawing backlash as video of fellow Miss Universe contestants walking out in support emerged. Bosch subsequently characterized the comment as "unacceptable."

Despite Itsaragrisil's tearful apology, Raúl Rocha Cantú, president of the pageant, responded to the backlash by announcing a series of sanctions restricting and almost completely excluding Itsaragrisil from the events of the 74th pageant.

Then on Nov. 18, a judge for the pageant suddenly dropped out ahead of the event. Composer Omar Harfouch made several accusations about the integrity of the organization's global competition, including that an "impromptu jury" selected finalists without the presence of the eight "real jury members" and that he had a "disrespectful conversation" with Cantú regarding the "lack of transparency in the Miss Universe voting process." The organization has publicly denied his accusations.

And earlier in the week during preliminary rounds, Miss Universe Jamaica Dr. Gabrielle Henry took a shocking tumble during the evening gown round, as seen in social media video of the incident.

In a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday, Nov. 19, the Miss Universe Organization noted Cantú had visited Henry and reported she was in stable condition after sustaining "a couple of minor wounds." She received treatment at a hospital in Bangkok, where she remained under observation overnight.