November 21, 2025 | 12:16pm
MANILA, Philippines — The 74th Miss Universe finals was held today in Impact Challenger Hall in Thailand.
This year’s format saw 120 contestants being cut to the Top 30. These ladies were further trimmed down to the Top 12 who competed in the evening gown competition. The Top 5 went through two rounds of question-and-answer portions.
The Top 5 picked answered questions from their selected judges.
The final question-and-answer round asked: “If you win the title of Miss Universe tonight, how will you use this platform to empower young girls?”
Here are the Top 5 finalists’ answers during the first round of question and answer portion:
Thailand – Praveenar Singh
Question: If you win Miss Universe and you’re given the chance to speak in front of the United Nations assembly, what global issue would you talk about and why did you choose that global issue?
Singh: If I were to speak in front of the United Nations about the SDGs (sustainable development goals), I would choose women equality because I believe that all of us deserve respect, kindness and same equality as other genders, and we deserve the same respect in the workplace as well as the same home, and I encourage you all to speak for your voice. Raise your voice for women equality. Thank you.
Philippines – Ahtisa Manalo
Question: My question for you today is, as a global ambassador or citizen, what will be your contribution to humanity?
Manalo: You know, I want to be the hope of people. I come from a very poor background. I started pageants at 10 years old to put myself through school and to lift my family out of poverty. And if there’s anything that I want to show the universe, I’m here right now. I’m standing as Miss Universe because I was able to get myself out of any situation because I was hard working, I was persistent, and I fight for what I want. Thank you.
Venezuela – Stephany Abasali
Question: My question is, in a world where cultural differences can separate people, how would you choose your platform to promote empathy and understanding between different cultures?
Abasali: I thank God that I had been given the opportunity to live in different continents of this world, so I have a broad view of the different cultures and an understanding of how to have empathy with the people, how to communicate and how to break those barriers of language. I believe that this platform gives us access to every corner of the world, and it teaches us that us as women with a voice and being a role model, it is our future, the children, the elder, the people that see us, that hear us, and we depend on making the difference. Thank you.
Mexico — Fatima Bosch
Question: In your perspective, what are the challenges of being a woman in the year 2025 and how would you use the title of Miss Universe to create a safe space for women around?
Bosch: As a woman and as Miss Universe, I would put my voice and power in the service of others, because nowadays we are here to speak up to make change and have everything here. Because we are women, and the brave ones that stand up are the ones that will make history.
Cote d’Ivoire — Olivia Yace
Question: Today focuses on knowledge, but not always on emotional skills. What emotional skill do you think should be taught to every child in school and why?
Yace: Well, as a woman who has a foundation on education, I think it is important that we teach young girls to love themselves. That is why my slogan is: assume your identity, because if you love yourself, if you have confidence, you can walk into this world and you can shine. So I urge every young man and every young woman to love yourself first, be who you want to be and shine. Thank you so much.
RELATED: Miss Universe 2025: Ahtisa Manalo in Top 5, assured podium spot