New Miss Universe Crowned amid Pageant Scandals – Here's Why a Former Judge Is Calling Her 'Fake'

A new Miss Universe has been crowned, but the celebration comes as fresh controversy erupts behind the scenes — including sharp criticism from a former judge.

The glitz. The glamor. The scandal. Fátima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe on Thursday, November 20. This was before the prestigious pageant was rocked by explosive backstage drama that left the glittering event teetering on the edge of a full-blown meltdown.

Bosch rose above contestants from over 130 countries to claim the crown in a spectacle themed "The Power of Love." This was at the 74th edition of the Miss Universe competition, held at the opulent Impact Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.

But love was in short supply behind the scenes.

Behind the Tiara: A Storm of Accusations and Walkouts

Just sixteen days before the world watched her glittering coronation, Bosch found herself in the center of a firestorm. This happened after a shocking incident during a livestream on November 4.

Pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly accused Bosch of refusing to join a scheduled photo shoot, a claim she vehemently denied. But the confrontation didn't end there.

In an unbelievable turn, Itsaragrisil continued to berate the beauty queen in front of fellow contestants. The humiliation sparked a dramatic rebellion. Several contestants stormed out of the room in solidarity, walking beside Bosch in a defiant show of support.

Neither Bosch nor the Miss Universe Organization responded publicly at the time. But the silence didn't last.

'He Called Me Dumb': Bosch Breaks Her Silence

In a video that spread like wildfire across pageant-centric Instagram pages, Bosch finally addressed the humiliating clash. She didn't hold back. The beauty queen accused Itsaragrisil of disrespecting her and making a deeply insulting remark.

"He called me 'dumb,'" Bosch claimed in the video — a shocking accusation that ignited outrage among fans and supporters alike. As tensions soared, Miss Universe Organization president Raul Rocha Cantu stepped forward to calm the storm. He aimed his message squarely at the executive at the center of the scandal.

In a statement, Rocha Cantu did not mince words. He expressed full support for the contestants and delivered a pointed rebuke, declaring that the executive had "forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host."