TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Miss Universe 2025 competition held in Thailand ended with Fatima Bosch from Mexico being crowned the winner. However, instead of a celebration, her victory has sparked waves of suspicion, protests, and even threats of legal action. Various reports from TMZ, Daily Mail, as well as statements from the judges, contest observers, and pageant community accounts on Instagram, indicate strong suspicions that the competition results were 'fixed' from the beginning.
Starting from family business connections, alleged conflicts of interest in the voting process, to the absence of an audit firm, all coalesce into one of the biggest scandals in the history of Miss Universe.
Suspicions of Victory Fixing and Business Relations in Miss Universe
One of the biggest suspicions comes from the alleged business connection between Ral Rocha, the owner of Miss Universe Organization at present, and Fatima Bosch's brother. This issue has led the public to speculate that Ftima's victory was orchestrated long before the final.
A video posted by the psl.pageantmedia account on Instagram shows Ftima's brother's expression appearing 'prepared' when the runner-up was announced. He clapped with a flat reaction, triggering assumptions that he already knew the final result.
One resigning judge, Omar Harfouch, even boldly stated in his interview with HBO America, a day before the final, that Miss Mexico's victory was already known. "Because the owner of Miss Universe, Raul Rocha, does business with Fatima Bosch's father," he wrote on Instagram, yesterday.
He also revealed a three-way conversation between him, Roche, and Roche's son in Dubai. "Raul Rocha and his son pressured me last week in Dubai to choose Fatima Bosch because they needed her to win as it would be good for their business," he wrote. There has been no official clarification from Miss Universe Organization regarding the alleged business connection.
The Fatima vs. Thailand Director Incident: Staged or Justification
The controversy began when Fatima was called 'stupid' by Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of Miss Universe Thailand. The mass walkout of the contestants to support Ftima became viral.
According to a report by Daily Mail, the incident turned Fatima into a symbol of bravery and defiance. However, the public suspects that this was used as a justification to 'fix' Miss Universe's image after the widespread scandal by crowning her as the winner. Some netizens even speculate that the incident was staged to garner sympathy and global attention for Ftima.
Increased Suspicion Due to Lack of Audit Firm
A viral post by the Instagram account of Natalie Glebova, a former Miss Universe 2005, sparked a major issue. Natalie stated, "When I competed, there was always an auditor who brought sealed results from an accounting firm. I want that returned. Until that happens, I will not return as a judge."
She even posted a photo of Miss Thailand with the caption "My winner!", affirming that her judgment differed from the organization's final decision. Without an independent auditor, "Technically, the Organization can do whatever they want."
Two Judges Resign: Allegations of Manipulation and 'Secret Voting'
The drama intensified when two judges resigned. Omar Harfouch, on his Instagram, stated that he is considering legal action in New York against Miss Universe Organization, with allegations of; fraud, abuse of power, conflict of interest, result manipulation, and illegal voting before the official judges arrived. He revealed that there was a secret vote to determine the Top 30 conducted by individuals who were not official judges, including someone who had a romantic relationship with one of the contestants. Omar referred to the incident as, "Manipulation of an international competition."
Another judge, football legend Claude Makll, also resigned a few hours later citing 'personal' reasons. However, the public interprets the resignation of both judges as strengthening the suspicion of manipulation.
Focus on Anne Jakkraphong's Role and Allegations of Fleeing to Mexico
The gossip pageant account lambepageantz shared claims that Anne Jakkraphong, a former owner of Miss Universe involved in financial crisis, allegedly fled to Mexico with the help of Ral Rocha. Anne is claimed to have converted over 6 billion baht to crypto, obtained Mexican citizenship through special means, and is now residing there to avoid arrest in Thailand. There has been no official verification of these claims, but her relationship with Rocha has sparked rumors of the alleged involvement of the 'Mexican circle' in contest manipulation.
Disapproval Echoes in the Venue
The verified Instagram account pageants_universe owned by Pageant India, posted a video of Fatima leaving the venue after the coronation. Instead of cheers, the audience gave thumbs down and disappointed shouts were heard. "The reaction was stronger than the crown itself, and this is not a good way," read the caption of the post. This video reinforces the perception that the public favored another winner, especially Miss Thailand, Miss Philippines, or Miss Cte d'Ivoire who were said to have given the best answers.
TMZ writes that Fatima's victory is suspected to be a form of "redemption" after the humiliation scandal and mass walkout. Daily Mail confirms the issue stating that the crown was "possibly given to make up for previous injustices" and save the reputation of Miss Universe after chaos. When two major entertainment media worldwide also highlight the issue, the manipulation becomes harder to ignore.
Fatima Bosch's victory should have been a proud moment. However, with all the events from alleged staged drama, suspicious business connections, absence of an auditor, judges' resignations, to international legal threats, Miss Universe 2025 has turned into one of the most controversial editions in history.
Miss Universe Organization has not provided detailed explanations regarding these allegations.
KINAR LAIMAURA
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