December 4, 2025 | 10:30am
MANILA, Philippines — Mexico’s Fatima Bosch vowed never to step away from the Miss Universe crown and denied online allegations that her father had business ties that influenced her selection as the 74th Miss Universe during last month’s finals in Thailand.
Bosch sat down with ABC News’ Juju Chang in an exclusive interview where she talked about her will to step into the Miss Universe role and cleared her father’s name in the scandal-hit edition of Miss Universe.
Bosch described the moment of her crowning as a dream come true, where she bested 119 contestants, including the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo.
Asked about claims she won because she spoke out during an incident involving Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, Bosch rejected the suggestion.
“No. But I think I made history. So why not? But of course not. I made the same effort that all the pageant [contestants] make, and this is a job,” Bosch said.
The exchange between Bosch and Itsaragrisil became viral after he was alleged to have called her a dumb head in a pre-sashing incident. He has since denied the remark, apologized, and clarified his controversial comment.
Denying alleged ties
Chang also asked Bosch about insinuations on social media that she won because her father, an oil executive, allegedly had business interests with Miss Universe’s Mexican co-owner Raul Rocha.
“They make, like, this campaign of hate. My father has nothing to do with the organization. And it’s crazy. How are you going to buy a crown? Maybe in Walmart, you can buy a crown, yeah. But not in Miss Universe, for sure,” Bosch said.
Bosch was also asked about the rumors online that she has thought about reliquishing the title.
“Of course not. I will never step away from this crown because I work really, really hard to be here. I’m not here for fame or modeling or searching [for a] husband. I’m here because God put a purpose on my heart. I have a mission and I will do that all year — to serve others and help,” she said.
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