November 21, 2025 | 12:40pm
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 in the first round.
At the final question and answer round, the finalists were 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:
Thailand – Praveenar Singh
I believe that everyone who has been through all the struggles, barriers, anything in life, we can get back up. It’s not about how you fail, but how you rise up. I would encourage you all to be your own hero, to light that life within yourself and light it on others. And if we come together, lift each other up, the world will be a much better place. And I encourage you all to never fear. I am standing here as your next Miss Universe, and I hope to be.
Philippines – Ahtisa Manalo
I work with an organization called Alon Akademie where we work with young people to provide them opportunities to make them realize that it doesn’t matter what your life circumstances is, it doesn’t define where you will go, and I want to continue working with Alon Akademie in a bigger platform like Miss Universe to pursue making sure that people who come from low-income backgrounds are given the same opportunities as everyone else.
Venezuela – Stephany Abasali
I believe that education and communication go hand by hand to influence positive activity from the girls, from the children, for everyone that watches this platform. I’m standing here because with my life experiences, I’ve been able to become the person I have wanted to be. And this is the representation of a woman that’s determined, and with her conviction, she reached her goal. That is what I want all the girls to search for. Thank you, Thailand.
Mexico – Fatima Bosch
As Miss Universe, I will say to them: believe in the power of your authenticity, believe in yourself. Your dreams matter, your heart matter and never let anyone make your job about your work because you are worth everything, and you are powerful and your voice needs to be heard. Thank you.
Cote d’Ivoire – Olivia Yace
Well, as an ambassador of the Miss Universe, I would want to be the face of representation of a new generation that makes this culture, that makes us modern and traditional. I want to be the face of a new era of women that are bold, that are leaders, that are unapologetic about who they are. If I win Miss Universe, I want to be a role model for all the young girls and let them know that you, too, can make it. Go in those rooms where you think you don’t belong, shine and make sure you assume your identity.
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