Miss Universe 2025: A Crowning Amidst Controversy and Cultural Clashes

Fri Nov 21 2025 08:36:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Thailand prepares to crown the new Miss Universe, the pageant faces chaos with walkouts, resignations, and allegations of rigging, highlighting cultural tensions and the pageant's struggle for relevance in the social media age.

The Miss Universe pageant in Thailand is set to crown its new queen amid significant controversy, including walkouts from contestants and resignations from judges. These events underscore the cultural differences between its Thai and Mexican organizers, and raise questions about the pageant's direction and relevance in today's media landscape. With social media followers shifting the beauty standards, the event must adapt to stay attractive and inclusive while addressing the challenges of recent controversies.

When the golden crown studded with diamonds and pearls is placed on the head of the new Miss Universe in Thailand on Friday, it will mark the end of an exceptionally chaotic edition.

In the days leading up to the glittering coronation in Bangkok, contestants alleging mistreatment walked out and two judges resigned with one claiming the contest is rigged.

The controversies, analysts say, underscore the cultural and strategic differences between the pageant's Thai and Mexican owners.

The crowning of the new Miss Universe, the 74th since 1952, also signals the resolve of an organisation to stay relevant and evolve from a once-a-year television spectacle to a media brand that is ready for TikTok.

Miss Universe, founded in the US, is one of the longest-running beauty pageants on the planet, alongside UK-based Miss World.

It aims to provide a platform for women to promote global causes such as HIV and Aids awareness and education for children. The title can also be a springboard to become a local and international celebrity.

Thailand is hosting Miss Universe for the fourth time and its delegate this year is considered a frontrunner by fan websites. If Thai-Indian Praveenar Singh wins, she will be the country's third Miss Universe and the first since 1988.

Despite the controversies surrounding the pageant, such as derogatory comments made by organizers and walkouts by contestants, there’s a notable push towards inclusivity and the empowerment of women, emphasizing that Miss Universe is about much more than beauty.