The official Miss Universe Instagram page has disabled comments across all its posts in response to a torrent of toxic backlash and harassment following the controversial crowning of Mexico's Fatima Bosch as Miss Universe 2025 on November 21 in Bangkok. The decision, implemented on Thursday, aims to curb escalating online abuse, including death threats directed at Bosch and her family, as well as widespread allegations of vote rigging, favoritism, and unfair judging that have plagued the 74th edition of the pageant since its chaotic buildup.
Bosch, a 25-year-old advocate for women's rights, faced immediate scrutiny after her victory, with critics on social media labeling her win as "damage control" and insisting other contestants, such as Miss Côte d'Ivoire, were more deserving. The controversy ignited weeks earlier during a pre-pageant sash ceremony when Bosch publicly confronted and walked out on an executive who berated her in front of peers, an incident that went viral and divided opinions. This was compounded by the resignation of judges, including Lebanese-French composer Omar Harfouch, who accused pageant owner Raúl Rocha of predetermining Bosch's win due to business ties with her father, claiming in an HBO interview and Instagram post that it was a "fake" outcome.
In her first post-win statement to Telemundo, Bosch addressed the vitriol head-on, revealing she had received multiple death threats and refusing to seek "permission" to exist as the titleholder. "I will not back down," she declared on Instagram Stories, transforming personal attacks into a broader message against online bullying. The backlash extended to mass contestant walkouts during the event and the hospitalization of Miss Universe Jamaica, whose organization later cited undisclosed health issues. Harfouch's explosive claims, viewed over 6 million times, alleged Rocha pressured him to favor Bosch for commercial gain, prompting Rocha to remove him from the panel and defend the results as transparent.
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The pageant's turmoil has drawn global scrutiny, with Miss Universe Haiti Melissa Queenie Sapini issuing a statement on Wednesday decrying "something deeply wrong behind the scenes," amid rumors of racism, faked drug incidents, and arrest warrants for co-owners. Bosch's triumph—marking Mexico's fourth title—has instead spotlighted systemic issues in the franchise, now under new ownership since 2023, including calls from national organizations to sever ties. By silencing comments, Miss Universe appears to be buying time to manage the PR crisis, but the move has only amplified accusations of evasion.
As Bosch prepares for her reign, focusing on empowerment initiatives, the disabled comments underscore a pageant at a potential breaking point, where glamour collides with unchecked toxicity. Supporters rally behind her resilience, while detractors demand accountability; regardless, the 2025 edition has redefined Miss Universe not for its sparkle, but for its stark revelations about power, prejudice, and the perils of public adoration in the digital age.
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