Miss Universe 2025 | Globe hot topics

Miss Universe 2025

Miss Angola Maria Da Cunha, front right, walks on stage with other USA contestants during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume USApresentation in USANonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on Nov. 19, 2025.The contestant from Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, took a scary tumble during the evening gown round during Wednesday’s preliminaries and was carried away in a stretcher, according to social media videos which circulated of her fall. Miss Universe President Raul Rocha said in an update to Instagram that Henry was “under good care” in hospital and that she had not broken any bones.

This year’s Miss Universe competition was beset by scandal, which sparked conversations over the merits of the international beauty pageant which claims to promote female empowerment.

At a live-streamed pre-pageant meeting earlier this month, Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly scolded Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch for not posting enough promotional content, appearing to call her a “dumbhead,” though Nawat denied this, insisting that he had actually accused her of causing “damage.”

A new Miss Universe will be named in Friday’s finale in Bangkok, and for organizers, the culmination of the competition could come as a relief.The 74th edition of this year’s pageant has been mired by USAscandal, including allegations of rigging and a mass walkout by USAcontestants over a Thai pageant director’s berating of a beauty queen.

USAMiss Universe is widely known as the “Super Bowl” of beauty pageants and draws millions of viewers each year. USADelegates for each country are selected via local pageants that license local rights from the Miss Universe Organization.

Thailand, this year’s host country, has a vibrant and lucrative pageant industry with one of the largest fanbases in Asia, alongside the Philippines.

This year’s event featured representatives from over 120 countries. Nadeen Ayoub became the first woman to represent Palestinian people at the pageant.

“I represent every Palestinian woman and child whose strength the world needs to see,” she wrote on Instagram.

The competition took place over three weeks, with delegates traveling around the country to rehearse and participate in events.

On Wednesday, the beauty queens competed in its national costume showcase, which saw contestants donning flamboyant outfits designed to highlight their homelands. Miss USA, Audrey Eckert, paid homage to her home with an elaborate bald eagle costume designed by Simon Villalba.After Bosch pushed back against the insults, Nawat called security to escort her out of the room. Other contestants then stood up and walked out in solidarity.The incident sparked widespread allegations of misogyny and drew global backlash, including from Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum, who described it as an “aggression” that Bosch handled with “dignity.”The Miss Universe Organization condemned Nawat’s behavior and limited his role in the pageant. Nawat apologized in a livestreamed welcome ceremony and declined to comment further on the incident to CNN.Then, in an Instagram live video discussing the incident, Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado, sparked backlash for racist comments.Machado referred to Nawat as “that despicable Chinese,” and when a commentor pointed out he is Thai, Machado said “Chinese, Thai, Korean. To me all these people with slanted eyes like this are all Chinese,” while pulling up the corners of her eyes.Machado’s representative did not respond to a request for comment

Composer Omar Harfouch said on Instagram he had resigned from the eight-member judging panel, and claimed there was a secret, “impromptu” panel of judges who had pre-selected the top 30 contestants in advance of the final.“I could not stand before the public and television cameras, pretending to legitimize a vote I never took part in,” Harfouch said in a statement.The Miss Universe Organization said Harfouch’s claims “mischaracterize” the judging process.“The Miss Universe Organization firmly clarifies that no impromptu jury has been created, that no external group has been authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists, and that all competition evaluations continue to follow the established, transparent, and supervised MUO protocols,”A second judge, former French soccer star Claude Makélélé, stepped down the same day, citing “unforeseen personal reasons.”“I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard,” he said on Instagram.

The Miss Universe Organization saw a leadership shakeup after Thai media tycoon Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip stepped down in June. Mario Búcaro was appointed the new CEO at the end of October, just days before delegates arrived. Jakkaphong, who is also a transgender rights advocate, bought the organization for $20 million in 2022, but her company filed for bankruptcy in 2023.

Miss Universe 2025 Top 30 Full List: Did your favorite make the cut?

The preliminary phase consisted of private interviews with the judges as well as the official swimsuit, national costume, and evening gown presentations. Now, the moment has come to reveal the Top 30 semifinalists.

Afterward, the Top 12 will be announced, followed by the Top 5 finalists. In the final round, the five candidates will answer questions live in front of the audience and the judging panel.

Before the start of the competition, the event began with a minute of silence in memory of Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, who died on October 24, 2025, at the age of 93. Throughout the pageant events, several contestants wore black ribbons on their sashes as a sign of respect.

The gala opened with a performance by Thai singer Jeff Satur, who gave his all on stage, accompanied by dancers dressed in white. Afterwards, more than 120 contestants made their entrance.

Who is in the judging panel:

Chalida Thaochalee, doctor, actress, and Miss Thailand 1998
Ismael Cala, Cuban-Canadian-American journalist and writer
Andrea Meza, Miss Universe 2020, from Mexico
Sharon Fonseca, Venezuelan model, actress, and entrepreneur
Saina Nehwal, Indian badminton player
Louie Heredia, Filipino singer
Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005, from Canada
Colonel Miniyothabo Francisca Baloyi Chiwenga, Angolan military officer

Top 30:

China – Zhao Na
Thailand – Praveenar Singh
Brazil – Gabriela Lacerda
Rwanda – Solange Keita
Côte d'Ivoire – Olivia Yacé
Colombia – Vanessa Pulgarín
Bangladesh – Tangia Methila
Japan – Kaori Hashimoto
Puerto Rico – Zashely Alicea
Netherlands – Nathalie Mogbelzada
USA-Audrey Eckert
India – Manika Vishwakarma
Philippines – Ahtisa Manalo
Zimbabwe – Lyshanda Moyas
Costa Rica – Mahyla Roth
Malta – Julia Cluett
Croatia – Laura Gnjatović
Canada – Jaime VandenBerg
Chile – Inna Moll
Guatemala – Raschel Paz
France – Ève Gilles
Paraguay – Yanina Gómez
Miss Universe Latina - Yamilex Hernandez
Venezuela – Stephany Abasali
Guadeloupe – Ophély Mézino

USA Miss Universe 2025 Winner LIVE Updates: India’s Manika Vishwakarma does not make it to Top 12, final 5 announced

Miss Universe 2025 Winner LIVE Updates: The Miss Universe 2025 Finale is underway, and India’s Manika Vishwakarma gets eliminated at the Top 12 round, leaving us in pursuit of the crown since 2021, won by Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu. The finalists include Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, China, Philippines, Thailand, Malta, and Cote D’Ivoire. This year, Saina Nehwal, badminton legend from India, is on the judges’ panel for the pageant.

Hailing from Rajasthan’s Ganganaga, Manika is competing alongside over 100 representatives from different countries, all eyeing the coveted crown. The current Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark, was crowned last year on November 16, 2024, and is the first woman from the country to win the title. She will crown her successor.

Miss Universe 2025: Manika Vishwakarma stuns in ‘Tree of Enlightenment’ for National Costume Night

Manika, a viewer favourite, has been making waves with her looks, including her attire for the National Costume round. Her golden outfit, replete with a dramatic headgear, was “inspired by the sacred origins of Buddhism in India. This magnificent costume pays homage to the moment Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya — a moment that radiated wisdom and peace across the world.”

Miss Universe 2025: Winner, Finalists, Judges, Prize Money, and Everything You Need to Know

In its press statement, Miss Universe Organization states that this year’s competition is more than a celebration of beauty — It is a global gathering of culture, purpose, and connection, under the official theme, ‘The Power of Love’. During the week-long spectacle, there were planned interviews, personal stories, evening gowns, National Costume and swimwear rounds.

With more than 70 years of legacy, the Miss Universe Organization, founded in 1952, is a platform for women around the world, promoting leadership, education, social impact, diversity, and personal development among its contestants and titleholders.

However, this year’s competition has been shrouded in allegations of rigging and controversy. After Omar Harfouch, a judge and composer, announced his resignation just three days before the finale, a second Miss Universe judge, French soccer manager Claude Makélélé, has also resigned.

On its part, the Miss Universe Organization commented in a media statement, “His (Mr Harfuch’s) comments incorrectly suggested that an unauthorized or impromptu jury had been formed and that the official judges had been excluded from the selection of finalists. The Miss Universe Organization firmly clarifies that no impromptu jury has been created, that no external group has been authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists, and that all competition evaluations continue to follow the established, transparent, and supervised MUO protocols. Given Mr. Harfuch’s expressed confusion, his public mischaracterization of the program, and his stated desire not to participate, the Miss Universe Organization respectfully acknowledges his withdrawal from the official judging panel. All procedures remain governed by the organization’s highest standards of transparency, integrity, and fairness.”

Last year, Rhea Singha, from Gujarat, who represented India at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, did not make it into the top 12. Harnaaz Sandhu was the last and most recent winner of the title in 2021.

India has won the Miss Universe title three times: Sushmita Sen in 1994, Lara Dutta in 2000, and Harnaaz Sandhu in 2021.

Miss Universe 2025 LIVE Winner Updates: The Judges' Questions round beginsMiss Thailand was asked which global issue she would raise at the United Nations, while Miss Philippines was asked what her contribution to humanity would be. Miss Venezuela was asked how she would use her platform to promote empathy between different cultures.The judges asked Miss Mexico about the challenges of being a woman and how she would use her title to create a safe space for women around the world. Miss Cote D’Iviore was asked which emotional skill should be taught to every child in school.The host country for next year has been announced. Puerto Rico will host the 75th, silver jubilee edition of the pageant. This will be their third time hosting Miss Universe.India gets eliminated at the Top 12 round. The finalists include Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, China, Philippines, Thailand, Malta, and Cote D’Ivoire.Manika slipped into a white monokini with golden floral accents on her shoulder and waist for the swimsuit round. Take a look at her outfit here.Manika Vishwakarma slips into a lavender and silver ensemble at the Opening Round of the Miss Universe Finale. Take a closer look at her outfit.

The Top 30 finalists are out, and India makes the cut. The qualifiers also include names like Guadalupe, China, Thailand, Brazil, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Columbia, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Japan and USA.

Saina Nehwal is one of the eight judges for the Miss Universe Pageant. The Olympic medalist flew to Thailand last night, sharing stories on Instagram. Take a look at her outfit of choice.

Padma Bhushan awardee Saina Nehwal will be a part of the Miss Universe 2025 judging panel. The Olympic medalist is the only sportsperson on the panel, with other icons being from fashion, music, business, and advocacy. Other judges include Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza, Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova, acclaimed author Ismael Cala, Philippine music icon Louie Heredia, international relations expert Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, former Miss Thailand Dr. Nok Chalida, and Venezuelan model Sharon Fonseca.

Posted on 2025/11/21 08:54 AM