Articles by Raul Dancel

Entertainment

Miss Mexico is new Miss Universe in surprising twist to chaotic pageant

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch was on Nov 21 crowned the new Miss Universe, a surprising culmination to what has been an exceptionally chaotic edition of one of the longest-running beauty pageants on the planet. Just days earlier, on Nov 4, Ms Bosch was Ms Bosch objected, leaving the room, followed by several other contestants in solidarity. That confrontation led to Mr Nawat publicly apologising, after the Miss Universe Organization denounced his conduct as “malicious”. On Nov 21, Ms Bosch came out on top, edging out local favourite Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh, and the candidates from Venezuela, the Philippines and Cote d’Ivoire in the finals. Ms Bosch, in a red cheongsam-looking gown with a cape, received her crown from Ms Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, the 2024 winner. She is the fourth Miss Universe to come from Mexico. The days leading up to the glittering coronation on Nov 21 had not been short on scandals, dramas and mishaps. A week after the walkout led by Ms Bosch, two judges resigned with one claiming the contest is rigged. Mr Omar Harfouch, a Lebanese-French musician, said in an Instagram post that an “impromptu jury” had preselected finalists ahead of the Nov 21 event. Hours afterward, former French football star Claude Makelele also withdrew, citing “unforeseen personal reasons”. The Miss Universe Organization rejected Mr Harfouch’s allegations, insisting that “no external group has been authorised to evaluate delegates or select finalists”. It suggested that Mr Harfouch may have been referring instead to Beyond the Crown, a social-impact initiative that operates independently of the main pageant and is overseen by a separate selection committee. On Nov 19, a Miss Universe contestant Social media videos show Dr Gabrielle Henry, representing Jamaica, walking in an orange evening gown and high heels when she missteps and falls completely off the stage. Additional videos later captured her being removed from the venue on a stretcher.] Mr Raul Rocha, owner of the Miss Universe pageant, shared an update on Instagram shortly after the incident. “I would like to share with the Miss Universe family concerned for the health of our Miss Universe Jamaica that at 12am Bangkok time, I have just left the hospital where she is being treated,” he wrote over a black screen. “I was there with her family and, thankfully, there are no broken bones, and she is under good care,” he said.