Following the recent criticism generated by the advice that the current Miss Universe, Mexican Fatima Bosch, offered to aspiring beauty pageant contestants, the pageant organization stepped forward to avoid misunderstandings, through a communication with People.

The controversy arose after the At the "Women Who Transform" forum, held at the end of March in Santa Tecla, El Salvador, Bosch, 25, who will be crowned on November 21, 2025, was asked by an audience member what advice she would give to women considering participating in a beauty pageant. Her response generated controversy: "Well, honestly, I wouldn't advise just anyone to participate in a beauty pageant." - Fatima Bosch, Miss Universe 2025. The reigning queen went on to explain that the impact of the crown depends entirely on the wearer. “If you have an important project, something you want to give visibility to, and you consider this platform as a tool to achieve it, then go for it,” she noted. She even revealed that her own experience wasn't a traditional path: “To be honest, and I believe God put me here, I certainly didn't choose to participate in the traditional sense.” Bosch also spoke about the challenges she faced since her victory, calling the experience “terrifying.” “For me, it has been very difficult… mainly because these pageants aren't used to a 'real' woman: a woman who doesn't fit the exact measurements they demand, or a woman who really has her own voice,” she stated. What did the Miss Universe organization say? Given the impact of these statements, the Miss Universe organization decided to issue a statement. In a statement provided exclusively to People magazine, Miguel Angel Martinez, spokesperson for the pageant, said:

“Fatima's recent statements have been subject to various interpretations on different platforms. She clarified that her intention was not to discourage participation in beauty pageants or question their value, but rather to emphasize that it is one of the many avenues available for women to express their voice, purpose, and ambitions.”

The organization recalled that “for more than seven decades, Miss Universe has served as a global platform that supports and uplifts women in diverse fields.”

A Reign Marked by Controversy

Bosch's statements are not an isolated incident. Her path to the crown and her subsequent reign have been marked by controversy. The most notable incident occurred in early November when she confronted pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil during a pre-pageant event. in Thailand. Following this, her statements prompted prominent figures in Mexico to speak out, including the first Mexican Miss Universe, Lupita Jones, who said in an interview on La Mesa Caliente: “This isn't the first time she's denigrated the work that previous Miss Universes have done with this title in one of these public appearances.” Jones was referring to Bosch's own statements about beauty pageants. The current Miss Universe clarified that her intention was not to discredit the pageant.