Miss Mexico was crowned Miss Universe in Thailand this morning, strutting to victory after the beauty pageant’s emcee publicly admonished her, one of numerous dramatic gaffes in the lead-up to the final stage.
Contestants from the Ivory Coast, the Philippines, Thailand, and Venezuela also advanced to the final round, out of over 120 women competing for the title of Miss Universe in a contest regarded as one of the “big four” of global beauty pageants, says AFP.
However, before Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch was crowned, there was commotion – from accusations of insulting her intelligence to judges quitting and participants flopping on and off stage.
Bosch walked out of a meeting earlier this month, dressed in an evening gown and high heels, after being attacked by Thai organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil.
During a broadcast of the event, Nawat appeared to single out Miss Mexico in a quarrel about her apparent failure to upload promotional information on her social media accounts.
After Nawat requested that security intervene, Bosch staged a walkout, accompanied by Miss Iraq.
Other beauty queens appeared to rise in support with Bosch before freezing as Nawat warned those who still wanted to compete to “sit down”.
“What your director did is not respectful: he called me dumb,” Bosch said to reporters at the time. “The world needs to see this because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice.”
Following the incident, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum cited Bosch as a “example of how we women should speak out” in the face of aggression. Nawat later apologized.
Other drama in the run-up to the final round saw two judges departing this week, with one claiming the event was rigged through a “secret and illegitimate vote” done without the official jury.
“This vote was conducted by individuals who are not recognised members of the official judging panel,” French composer Omar Harfouch stated in an Instagram post.
The Miss Universe Organization has refuted Harfouch’s allegations, adding that “no impromptu jury has been formed.”
Former professional footballer Claude Makelele also resigned as a jurist, claiming “unforeseen personal reasons” in a social media post.
On Wednesday, Miss Britain Danielle Latimer tripped and fell flat on the stage while dressed in an attire inspired by the Cockney heroine Eliza Doolittle.
Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry was hospitalised after falling off the main platform during an evening gown showcase, according to Raul Rocha, head of the Miss Universe Organisation.
Miss Universe Jamaica’s public relations director, Shannon-Dale Reid, informed our correspondent late on Wednesday that Henry was “resting under medical observation” and had sustained no significant injuries.
He declined to comment yesterday on her condition or the cause of her fall.
About the Author
