Overview
- Preliminary shows on Nov. 19 featured swimsuit, evening gown and national costume segments, with Mexico’s Fátima Bosch earning wide attention for a Xochiquétzal-inspired look crafted over seven months.
- The Miss Universe Organization rejected judge Omar Harfouch’s claims of an improvised panel and irregular voting, and his seat was filled by Filipino singer Louie Heredia alongside jurors Andrea Meza, Romero Britto and Sharon Fonseca.
- Multiple delegations changed lineups or withdrew ahead of the final, including Persia’s Sahar Biniaz (solidarity after her director’s detention), Germany’s Diana Fast (family reasons), Niger (travel issues), China (Zhao Na replacing Xuhe Hou), and Congo (Dorcas Dienda Kasinde replacing Déborah Djema).
- The final is set for Nov. 21 at Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, with broadcasts confirmed on Imagen Televisión in Mexico, Telemundo/Telemundo Internacional in Latin America, and the Miss Universe YouTube channel.
- Online scrutiny intensified over production choices and contestant welfare, including complaints about shortened camera time for Bosch, reports of illnesses among several candidates, and conflicting accounts around the reported detention of Mexico’s national director.