BANGKOK – In a stunning conclusion to the 74th Miss Universe pageant held in Bangkok, Fátima Bosch Fernández from Mexico claimed the crown on Friday. The 25-year-old emerged victorious amid a whirlwind of controversy that surrounded this year’s competition, including facing public criticism from one of the event’s hosts.

Taking the position of first runner-up was Thailand’s own Praveenar Singh, who is 29, while Venezuela’s 25-year-old Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser secured the third spot.

The top five were completed by Ahtisa Manalo, 28, from the Philippines, and Olivia Yacé, 27, from Ivory Coast, who finished in fifth place.

The event was overshadowed by a contentious incident involving Bosch. The controversy erupted following sharp criticism directed at her by a host, leading to a dramatic sequence of events that included a walkout, a wave of feminist support, and eventually a tearful apology from the local event organizer.

During a livestreamed ceremony on November 4, where nearly 130 contestants were presented, Thai national director Nawat Itsaragrisil reprimanded Bosch for allegedly not adhering to his directives regarding participation in local promotional events. Tensions escalated when security was called as Bosch defended herself.

In a show of defiance and unity, Bosch exited the room, accompanied by several fellow contestants, including Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark, who held the Miss Universe 2024 title.

“What your director did is not respectful: he called me dumb,” an unbowed Bosch told Thai reporters. “If it takes away your dignity, you need to go.”

The Miss Universe Organization president, Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú, released a statement condemning Nawat’s conduct as “public aggression” and “serious abuse.”

Even Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum, piled on, saying at a news conference in her country’s capital that she wanted to give “recognition” to Miss Mexico for voicing her disagreement in a “dignified” way.

“It seems to me that it is an example of how women should raise our voices,” Sheinbaum said.

Sheinbaum recalled being told in the past a common phrase that “women look more beautiful when they keep quiet.”

“We women look more beautiful when we raise our voice and participate, because that has to do with the recognition of our rights,” she said.

Nawat later made apologies for his actions, appearing both tearful and defiant at the same time .

“If anyone (was) affected and not comfortable it happened, I am so sorry,” he said in front of the contestants. He then turned to them and said “It’s passed. OK? Are you happy?”

Bosch’s official Miss Universe biography says she studied fashion in Mexico and Italy and has focused on creating sustainable designs and working with discarded materials. It says she has volunteered with sick children, promoted environmental awareness, and engaged in supported migrants and mental health issues.

This year’s competition also saw a report that two judges had quit, with one of them suggesting that there was an element of rigging to the contest. The allegation was denied. Separately, Thai police investigated the alleged illegal promotion of online casinos as part of the event’s publicity, a turn of events that may have been connected with the organizers’ feud.

Mishaps and controversies are not rare for the pageant. The 2021 event attracted criticism because it was held in Israel, to the dismay of supporters of the Palestinian cause.

An example of a minor misstep — literally — occurred Wednesday when Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, fell off the stage during the evening gown competition. She was not badly hurt.