Fátima Bosch’s Miss Universe 2025 crowning marked Mexico’s fourth title, yet it immediately ignited a firestorm of controversy. The new international queen has since faced significant backlash across social media platforms.
Tensions began during the preliminary activities in Thailand. Juror Omar Harfouch resigned, citing alleged irregularities in the voting process.
“I cannot stand before the public and cameras pretending to legitimize a vote I never participated in; it would be dishonest,” the French-Lebanese pianist stated on social media.
Following Bosch’s victory, Harfouch escalated his claims. He accused Miss Universe CEO Raúl Rocha of pressuring him to favor the Mexican contestant.
Harfouch told the Inquirer portal, “They pressured me a week ago in Dubai to vote for Fátima Bosch, because they need her to win, because it will be good for our business.”
The Miss Universe Organization firmly dismissed these comments as “erroneous.” They asserted that all competition evaluations adhere to “established, transparent protocols supervised by the MUO.”
Rocha, speaking on Hoy Día (Telemundo), denied the accusations. He suggested Harfouch’s statements were merely “for two minutes of fame.”
Beyond the media dispute, Fátima Bosch encountered a more personal battle online. Her inbox was flooded with insults, mockery, and even death threats. The 25-year-old model chose to address the abuse through a series of Instagram posts.
“Today I want to raise my voice not as a beauty queen, but as a woman,” Bosch wrote. “A woman who, like millions worldwide, has personally experienced violence born from hatred, misinformation, and the inability of some to see a woman shine without feeling threatened.”
Bosch transformed her denunciation of harassment into a declaration of principles. “My victory is not a threat. My victory is a reminder that women are resilient, capable, and powerful,” she affirmed in another post. “We are not here to fulfill others’ expectations; we are here to transform the world.”
The reigning queen also publicly pledged to use her platform to highlight violence against women. “To women who have suffered violence in any of its forms, I promise you something: I will not remain silent. I will use this platform to make it visible; you are not alone.”
Bosch reflected on the deeper meaning of wearing a crown. “Because a crown not only symbolizes beauty: it symbolizes responsibility,” she wrote. “And whoever turns their frustration into violence is not giving an opinion: they are perpetuating a global problem that we will no longer tolerate.”
Thousands of followers have celebrated her stance, hailing her as “the most courageous queen” and an “inspiring voice.” Her mother, Vanessa Ferbal, shared an emotional reflection on her daughter’s win.
Ferbal said, “You see a strong, self-confident, dedicated woman, but I see the child who for a long time was afraid of achieving nothing in life. And now she is Miss Universe.”
Despite the ongoing criticism, Bosch remains resolute. “No attack will make me kneel, no insult will extinguish my purpose,” she declared. “Because when one woman raises her voice, we all raise our voices. When one woman wins, she paves the way for thousands of women.”
Bosch concluded her message with a forward-looking statement. “There is much work to be done, and my time is and will remain dedicated to using this voice.”