Beauty pageants frequently face controversy and scandal. Competitions like Miss USA and Miss Universe have seen numerous incidents over the years, from public disputes to rule violations and shocking revelations. Recent events in November 2025 further highlight these ongoing challenges for the organizations involved.
Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch made headlines following a heated argument with Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil during a sash ceremony. Itsaragrisil, who holds executive positions with both the Miss Universe Organization and Miss Universe Thailand, also presides over Miss Grand International.
The dispute reportedly began when Itsaragrisil called Bosch "empty-headed." Bosch confronted him, stating, "We respect you, just as you should respect us. I am here representing my country, and it’s not my fault that you have problems with my organization."
Bosch then walked out of the room. Other contestants, including current Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark, joined her in a show of solidarity.
News outlet N+ reported the argument started when Itsaragrisil questioned why Bosch had not posted about the host country on social media. Bosch stated she attempted to explain it was a misunderstanding.
Bosch later issued a public statement. She emphasized the platform for empowered women and their voices. She declared, "No one will silence me. It doesn’t matter if you have a big dream or a crown. If it takes away your dignity, you must leave."
The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) also released a statement. It affirmed commitment to working with the host community and Miss Grand International. MUO CEO Mario Búcaro was scheduled to travel to Thailand to strengthen collaboration.
Earlier in November 2025, judge Omar Harfouch announced his resignation from the Miss Universe international pageant in Thailand. He alleged the organization created an "improvised jury" to select finalists without the official panel.
Harfouch, a composer, claimed this unofficial jury had potential conflicts of interest due to personal relationships with some contestants. He also stated that selection results were being kept "secret."
Harfouch publicly announced his resignation. He said, "After having an disrespectful conversation with [Miss Universe CEO] Raúl Rocha about the lack of transparency in the Miss Universe voting process, I decided to resign from the jury and refuse to be part of this farce." He also withdrew his music composed for the event.
The Miss Universe Organization refuted Harfouch’s claims. They stated he "incorrectly suggested an unauthorized or improvised jury had been formed." The organization insisted no such jury was created and that it followed "established, transparent and supervised MUO protocols."
The MUO acknowledged Harfouch’s resignation. They maintained that all procedures adhered to the highest standards of transparency and fairness.
Controversies are not new to the pageant world. In 1984, Vanessa Williams became the first Miss America to resign after nude photos were published in Penthouse magazine. She was also the first African-American Miss America.
More than thirty years later, in 2015, Williams returned as a head judge for the pageant. CEO Sam Haskell offered her an official apology, saying, "I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel less than the Miss America you are and Miss America you always will be."
Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner faced calls for her crown to be removed after admitting to drug and alcohol abuse. She tested positive for cocaine.
Donald Trump, then owner of Miss Universe, surprised many by giving Conner a second chance instead of dethroning her. She agreed to enter rehabilitation. Trump stated, "She came from a small town in Kentucky and she got caught up in the whirlwind that is known as New York."
In 2015, Miss Universe host Steve Harvey made a major error by announcing the wrong winner. He initially crowned Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutiérrez. The actual winner was Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach.
Harvey later explained the second-place name was larger and bolded on his card. He stated, "Did I make a mistake? Yes, I made it, no doubt."
Miss Teen USA 2016 Karlie Hay faced backlash when screenshots of racist tweets, including the use of the N-word, resurfaced online. She quickly apologized on Instagram. The Miss Universe Organization called her language "unacceptable" but allowed her to keep her crown.
Miss Puerto Rico 2015 Destiny Vélez was suspended by the Miss America Organization for a series of anti-Muslim posts on Twitter. She stated Muslims had "terrorist agendas" in response to filmmaker Michael Moore’s "We are all Muslims" sign.
A "selfie scandal" occurred at Miss Universe 2014 involving Miss Israel Doron Matalon and Miss Lebanon Saly Greige. The two took a smiling selfie together, causing uproar given the long-standing conflict between their countries. Greige claimed Matalon appeared in her photo and then posted it. Matalon responded on Instagram, expressing regret that hostility could not be set aside.
Miss USA 2014 Nia Sánchez was accused of fabricating her Nevada residency. During a radio interview, she forgot Carson City, the state capital. She had previously competed in Miss California three times without winning.
In 2014, Amanda Longacre was crowned Miss Delaware. She was later deemed too old for the Miss America competition. Contestants must be between 17 and 24 years old; Longacre turned 25 in October, violating a clause that prohibits aspirants from turning 25 before the end of the year. She kept her scholarship money.
Miss Florida 2014 Elizabeth Fechtel was initially crowned winner, but organizers later found a vote counting error. Victoria Cowen was the true champion. Days later, officials informed Fechtel of the mistake, which stemmed from a judge’s last-minute ballot change.
Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih faced controversy when provocative pole dance photos, reportedly from a radio contest, were leaked. She defended them as images from a pole dancing class she attended years prior. Calls for her resignation intensified after she reportedly slept through an interview after a night of partying, then lied about it before being caught on hotel security cameras.
Miss California 2009 Carrie Prejean drew criticism for her response to a question about same-sex marriage. Posed by openly gay judge Perez Hilton, Prejean stated, "I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman."
Prejean was not dethroned for her comments. However, leaked topless photos and absences from public events led to her dismissal. Miss California organizers cited a breach of contract as the official reason.
After being crowned Reina Hispanoamericana 2008, Laura Zúñiga was arrested with alleged drug cartel members. They were transporting assault rifles, pistols, 633 cartridges, 16 cell phones, and $53,000 USD in cash. Images circulated of Zúñiga handcuffed alongside weapons and money. She was dethroned and sentenced to 40 days under arrest, facing charges for organized crime, drug trafficking, weapons, and money laundering.
Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007 Caitlin Upton delivered a widely ridiculed and confusing answer to a question about Americans’ geographical knowledge. She mentioned education in South Africa, Iraq, and Asian countries. In 2015, she revealed the incident still haunted her and led her to contemplate suicide.
Miss New Jersey 2007 Ashley Harder resigned her title after becoming unexpectedly pregnant during her reign. At the time, pageant rules prohibited married, pregnant, or mothers from competing, though these rules changed in 2023. Pro-life advocates criticized Harder’s decision, arguing she should have been allowed to compete.
Less than a year after winning Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado gained 42 pounds, increasing from 117 to 159 pounds. Pageant organizers threatened to dethrone her. Donald Trump, then the owner, hired a team of nutrition and fitness experts to help her lose weight. Trump fueled the controversy by calling her "an eating machine" during an interview with Howard Stern.
Miss Great Britain 2006 Danielle Lloyd was stripped of her title. She revealed a relationship with pageant judge and footballer Teddy Sheringham before the competition. Sheringham was the only judge who voted for Lloyd. She also posed nude for Playboy, violating pageant rules against such activities during a reign.