Mexico’s bullied pageant contestant gets payback by winning Miss Universe crown

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, centre, is celebrated by other contesters after winning the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, Thailand (Sakchai Lalit/AP)

Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday, a dramatic victory for a 25-year-old at the centre of the turbulent 74th staging of the popular beauty pageant in Bangkok who stood up to public bullying from one of the hosts.

The issues at this year’s event sprang from a sharp-tongued scolding of Ms Bosch, which sparked a controversy marked by a walkout, feminist solidarity and a teary, melodramatic apology from the local organiser who set it all off.