On 9/12, Mexican beauty Fatima Bosch, 25, appeared for an interview on Telemundo's Spanish-language program "Pica y se Extiende". Guided by hosts Lourdes Stephen and Carlos Adyan, the new Miss Universe was repeatedly asked about controversies related to the Miss Universe (MU) competition. According to Hola!, she walked off the set after half the broadcast, canceling all her scheduled appearances with the channel for the week.

Fatima Bosch (left) on the "Pica y se Extiende" program on 8/12. Photo: Telemundo

From the outset, the studio atmosphere was tense. Bosch tried to remain calm as the two hosts delved into the scandals. The conversation grew heated when MC Carlos Adyan brought up the issue of visa influence among large and small countries – a factor believed to affect a contestant's chances of winning. He then asked Bosch what she would say to girls who do not have the privilege of obtaining a visa like her.

In response, Fatima Bosch stated she was not fully aware of the organizers' rules but believed everyone had an equal chance of winning, regardless of their passport's origin. However, from a business perspective, she considered Miss Universe to be "both a job and an enterprise", thus requiring someone who could easily travel the world.

Fatima Bosch during a business trip to the US in early December. Photo: MU

Later, MC Lourdes Stephen questioned whether Fatima Bosch would have accepted participation in the beauty pageant if she had known her victory would lead to so much public criticism. To clarify the question, Stephen mentioned the organizers' ongoing allegations of a lack of transparency, as well as MU President Raul Rocha's bank accounts being frozen due to recent accusations of smuggling prohibited goods.

The news outlet noted that Fatima Bosch drew a clear line between herself and the leadership in her response. She described Miss Universe as a dream, asserting she was not involved in these matters. The beauty queen believed her role was to be a voice for women and should not be associated with external issues. Bosch expressed her frustration, stating, "Nobody asks me what I am doing with my job; they just keep asking about the scandals."

According to Hola!, the tension peaked when Carlos Adyan asked about a complaint filed against Fatima Bosch by MU Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil on 3/12. Mr. Nawat claimed Bosch had slandered him by accusing him of insulting her to the media and stated he would pursue further legal action if she continued to defame him.

Nawat and Fatima Bosch's tense conversation during the competition on 4/11. Bosch later told the press that he called her a "dumbhead", but Mr. Nawat said he only used the word "damage" in reference to her.

On air, Bosch affirmed that no lawsuit had occurred and she had not slandered anyone. "I don't want to talk about this issue anymore", she said. However, Adyan later revealed that Bosch had mentioned backstage that her father was aware of Mr. Nawat's situation and "was handling the legal situation". Bosch's father also garnered attention this season. Former MU judge, musician Omar Harfouch, accused him of doing business with Raul Rocha, which allegedly led to his daughter's coronation.

Before a commercial break, Carlos Adyan announced to viewers that Miss Universe Fatima Bosch would stay until the end. He also introduced her participation in Telemundo's weekly shows. However, the Mexican beauty did not return for the interview.

Soon after, Adyan appeared in another segment, explaining Miss Universe 2025's mid-interview departure. According to the MC, the conversation had emphasized Bosch's work and MU's role in empowering women. He suggested the show's team was not responsible if Fatima Bosch struggled to answer. "This is why she left", Carlos Adyan added.

Excerpt from Fatima Bosch's interview on "Good Morning America". Video: GMA

This was not the first time she spoke out about accusations of buying her title. Since her coronation on 21/11, many opinions have circulated that Fatima Bosch was undeserving of the Miss Universe title, with a former judge demanding her crown be stripped. On Good Morning America on 2/12, she first addressed the fraud rumors, denying any relationship between her father and the organizers. The beauty queen criticized those spreading misinformation for orchestrating "a hostile campaign" against her, declaring she would never relinquish her title.

"I did not enter the competition for fame, to be a model, or to find a husband. I am here because God placed a mission in my heart. I have a task, and I will carry it out for many years to come – to serve and help people", she stated.

Fatima Bosch was born in 2000 in Teapa, Tabasco state, Mexico. She studied fashion design at Iberoamericana University in her hometown, then enrolled at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (Italy) and Lyndon Institute (US). She shared that as a child, she was a victim of school bullying due to dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In September, she won Miss Universe Mexico.

Miss Universe, first held in 1952, is one of the world's most-watched beauty pageants, with 165 countries and territories purchasing broadcasting rights. This year, the competition kicked off in early November with the theme "Beyond the Crown". The first runner-up is Praveenar Singh, 29, from Thailand. The second, third, and fourth runners-up are Stephany Abasali (25, from Venezuela), Ahtisa Manalo (28, from the Philippines), and Olivia Yace (27, from Cote d'Ivoire), respectively.

Phuong Thao (according to Hola!)