Brigitta Schaback, Estonia’s representative at the 74th Miss Universe pageant held in Bangkok, has become the latest figure in an already explosive edition by formally relinquishing her national title just 48 hours after the finale. In an Instagram post on November 23, 2025, the 28-year-old computer science graduate and model announced she was stepping down as Miss Universe Estonia, citing an irreconcilable clash of values and work ethics with national director Natalie Korneitsik. Schaback stressed that her decision was not a rejection of the causes she championed during the competition—women’s empowerment and equality—but a refusal to compromise her principles while associated with the current Estonian management.

Schaback’s resignation marks the first time in the country’s pageant history that a delegate has surrendered the crown immediately after representing Estonia on the global stage. She wrote, “I am stepping down from the title of Miss Universe Estonia. My values and work ethics don’t align with those of the national director, Natalie Korneitsik. My commitment is to women’s empowerment and equality, and I will continue this work independently without any further association with Miss Universe Estonia.” The statement, presented on a stark black-and-white graphic labelled “official announcement,” ended weeks of speculation about tensions behind the scenes.

The 2025 pageant, which crowned Mexico’s Fátima Bosch on November 21, has been plagued by controversy from the outset. The most widely publicized incident occurred during a pre-pageant sash ceremony when Thai co-owner Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly humiliated Bosch, calling her a “dumbhead” for allegedly failing to post enough promotional content and ordering security to escort her out. Several contestants, including reigning Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, walked out in solidarity, forcing Itsaragrisil to issue a tearful on-camera apology the following day.

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Allegations of rigging further rocked the competition. Three days before the finale, Lebanese-French judge Omar Harfouch resigned, claiming a “secret committee” had predetermined the top 30 and that the winner was known 24 hours in advance. Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú countered that Harfouch had been removed from the panel and that his accusations referred to a separate social-impact vote, not the main competition. Former Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova, another judge, later declared on social media that first runner-up Praveenar Singh of Thailand had been the rightful winner in her view and criticized the lack of an independent auditor for results.

Despite the turmoil, Fátima Bosch emerged victorious, becoming Mexico’s fourth Miss Universe and tying the Philippines for the most crowns in pageant history. Online reaction to her win has been sharply divided, with some praising her resilience after the public humiliation and others insisting her final answer on authenticity fell short compared to finalists from Côte d’Ivoire, Thailand, and Venezuela.

As the dust settles on one of the most dramatic editions in recent memory, Brigitta Schaback’s departure underscores a growing willingness among contestants to prioritize personal integrity over titles. With the next Miss Universe already scheduled for Puerto Rico in 2026, the organization faces mounting pressure to address transparency concerns and rebuild trust among national franchises and the global audience that has followed this year’s unprecedented cascade of scandals.

Also Read: Fátima Bosch Takes Miss Universe 2025 Crown; India Misses Top 12 Cut