Mexican beauty queen Fátima Bosch remains steadfast in her resolve, asserting her right to the Miss Universe crown amidst a storm of controversy. Just ten days after her victory, Bosch declared, “I deserve this crown,” dismissing calls for her to step aside.
The 25-year-old, born in Teapa, addressed the escalating polemics during an interview with journalist Jessica Carrillo for Telemundo’s ‘Al Rojo Vivo’. She unequivocally rejected the idea of relinquishing her title to quell the controversies surrounding the pageant.
Bosch stated, “Of course not, because I deserve this crown and this sash.” She emphasized her commitment and effort, matching that of her peers throughout the competition. “I won. Why would I give up something I worked for?” she asked.
The beauty queen deemed it “unfair” that her win is questioned by external comments, particularly those on social media. She highlighted the immense personal effort that only she and her closest supporters truly understand.
Bosch expressed her pain over the attacks targeting both her and her family. She noted that she is new to this environment, having never participated in such contests before. She reflected that adversity is common when pursuing a purpose.
Her initial motivation for entering Miss Universe centered on philanthropy and social causes. This purpose, she suggests, guides her through the current backlash.
The 74th edition of Miss Universe began accumulating tensions even during its preliminary activities. These tensions intensified with the resignation of judge Omar Harfouch. He alleged irregularities in the voting process.
Harfouch, a Franco-Lebanese pianist, stated he could not legitimize a vote in which he never participated. He made these comments public on his social media channels.
Following Bosch’s victory, Harfouch further accused Miss Universe CEO Raúl Rocha. He claimed Rocha pressured him to favor the Mexican contestant. Harfouch told the portal Inquirer that he was pressured in Dubai to vote for Bosch because her win would benefit their business.
The Miss Universe Organization firmly refuted Harfouch’s comments as “erroneous.” They assured that all contest evaluations adhere to established, transparent protocols supervised by the MUO. Rocha also denied the accusations on Telemundo’s Hoy Día, suggesting Harfouch’s statements were merely a bid for attention.
The controversy deepened with the resignations of other contestants, including Miss Ivory Coast and Miss Estonia, as well as several judges and delegation directors. Social media reacted harshly, targeting both the pageant system and Fátima Bosch herself.
Bosch took to Instagram to defend herself against the online bullying. She framed her message not merely as a beauty queen, but as a woman. She described experiencing the violence born of hate and misinformation.
Her message highlighted the inability of some to see a woman shine without feeling threatened. Bosch transformed the harassment into a declaration of principles.
She affirmed that her victory is not a threat. Instead, she presented it as a reminder of women’s resilience, capability, and power. She stated that women are not here to fulfill external expectations, but to transform the world.
Amidst the media storm, the numerous resignations, and persistent accusations of a strategically orchestrated win, Fátima Bosch remains resolute. She continues to assert, “I won Miss Universe.”