When Miss Universe 2025 ended with Fátima Bosch crowned as winner, the celebration was anything but smooth. Now, two weeks on, a former contestant has raised serious accusations, demanding an independent investigation into what she calls a tainted pageant, threatening the credibility of one of the world’s biggest beauty contests.
From Miss Haiti to whistle-blower: Sapini speaks out
Melissa Sapini, who represented Haiti at the 2025 event held in Bangkok, has publicly called for an independent, external, and transparent investigation into the conduct and management of the competition. According to Sapini, her move isn’t motivated by disagreement with the result but by concern for fellow contestants who she believes may have been silenced. She emphasizes that the pageant’s integrity not any single winner is at stake.
What went wrong?
According to Sapini and other insiders, the lead-up to the pageant was marked by a series of alarming incidents. Contestants reportedly witnessed questionable behavior: a livestreamed clash on November 4 between pageant head Nawat Itsaragrisil and Fátima Bosch during a pre-pageant event sparked a walkout, raising suspicions about respect, power dynamics and fair treatment.
Further complaints emerged not just about the public confrontation, but also about backstage conditions: multiple contestants allegedly fell ill with flu or food-poisoning symptoms; some were hospitalized. According to Sapini, there was something wrong every single day during their stay in Thailand.
Beyond health concerns, Sapini pointed at deeper structural issues: resignations of key judges just before the finals and rumors of a clandestine selection committee picking finalists behind closed doors. Some have alleged the results were pre-decided, claims that, if true, strike at the heart of the pageant’s legitimacy.
A demand for transparency and accountability
In her statement, Sapini made clear that she doesn’t blame the winner herself, instead, she demands transparency and safety for all participants. “This isn’t about one crown,” she said, “it’s about protecting women who can’t safely speak up.”
She dismissed internal investigations as insufficient likening them to “asking a police department to investigate itself.” Her call underscores growing frustration among contestants and pageant-watchers who feel systemic reforms may be needed.
What’s at stake for Miss Universe’s reputation
This is more than just controversy, it’s a reputational crisis for the Miss Universe Organization (MUO). At a time when beauty pageants increasingly claim to champion empowerment, equality and dignity, allegations of misconduct, alleged rigging, and poor treatment of contestants raise serious questions.
For now, Sapini’s demand hangs over the pageant’s 2025 outcome. Unless MUO orders a full external inquiry and responds transparently, doubts will remain not just about this year’s winner, but about the fairness of the competition itself. The world is watching.