A Ukrainian beauty queen experienced an unexpected mishap during the Miss Earth finals, leaving the audience in shock before they swiftly rallied in support.
Video footage captured Mariia Zheliaskova, Ukraine’s representative in the long-standing beauty pageant, as she stumbled on stage on November 5. The Miss Earth competition, which celebrates its 24th year, witnessed this incident during a pivotal moment.
As Mariia elegantly made her entrance, the announcer highlighted her accomplishments, stating, “She’s not just turning heads on the runway, she’s also raising funds for the military, showing her fierce dedication to her country and its people.”
However, just as she was being introduced, Mariia unexpectedly fell to her side. Demonstrating poise, she quickly regained her footing, albeit with a hint of embarrassment.
The audience initially reacted with gasps, but their surprise soon turned into applause, acknowledging her swift recovery.
While Mariia did not clinch the Miss Earth crown, she proudly earned the title of Vice Miss Earth 2025.
She wrote on her Instagram: ‘I am beyond happy! I represented my home country with pride and strength.
‘Three unforgettable weeks in the Philippines has been a dream journey that started with winning the Miss Odesa contest, then the Miss Ukraine-Earth national crown, and now a third victory, so special and important.
As Mariia Zheliaskova (pictured) was being introduced, she tumbled onto her side, before quickly getting up with an embarrassed look on her face
The crowd were heard gasping, before quickly applauding the beauty queen’s speedy recovery
‘I am grateful for all that I have. I am grateful to God for the blessings that I am here right now – and I can proudly raise the flag of Ukraine in front of the world.’
The winner of Miss Earth 2025 was Natalie Puskinova, Czechia entry, who took the coveted prize from Jessica Lane of Australia.
Earlier this week, another international beauty pageant faced criticism after one of its contestants was called ‘dumb’ by an organiser.
Furious bosses have condemned the treatment of Miss Universe Mexico, Fátima Bosch, by Thai organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil – who himself has issued a grovelling apology on TikTok.
In a dramatic moment that has been reposted all over social media, Nawat demanded that security escort Bosch out of a ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, after she accused him of not ‘respecting [her] as a woman’.
As a show of solidarity with the 25-year-old beauty queen, dozens of other contestants then stormed out of the room with her in a mass walkout, including Danish model Victoria Kjær Theilvig, crowned Miss Universe 2024.
‘As a country you have all my respect, I truly love Thailand – but what your director did is not respectful, he called me dumb,’ Bosch told the press after the incident.
Mariia sadly did not win the coveted Miss Earth title, though she was awarded named Vice Miss Earth 2025
Furious organisers have condemned the treatment of Miss Universe Mexico Fátima Bosch (pictured) by Thai boss Nawat Itsaragrisil, who himself has issued a groveling apology on TikTok
The incident took place during a live-streamed ceremony of the event, where Nawat Itsaragrisil, Vice President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organisation, confronted Melissa Flores Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day
The clash went viral online, with hundreds of fans and former contestants swarming to her defense and praising her for standing up to the official.
‘I think that the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice, and no one can shut our voice,’ she said as a crowd cheered in support.
Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú delivered a stern statement condemning Nawat, saying: ‘I will not allow the values of respect and dignity toward women to be violated.’
