At Miss Universe 2025, Mexico’s Fatima Bouch was crowned the new queen, but the celebrations were overshadowed by shocking claims from former judge Omar Harfouch, sending shockwaves across the pageant world.
Lebanese-French composer and ex-Miss Universe judge Omar Harfouch alleged that Fatima Bouch’s victory had been decided in advance, linking it to the organization’s head, Raul Rocha, and his alleged business interests. Omar claimed that Rocha had longstanding business ties with Fatima Bouch’s father, which, according to him, influenced the final outcome.
In a video message shared on social media, Omar revealed that he had already informed an American TV channel 24 hours before the finale that “Miss Mexico will win.” He further stated that in Dubai, Raul Rocha and his son directly approached him, urging him to vote for Fatima because “it would benefit our business.” Following this, Omar resigned from the judges’ panel.
The Miss Universe Organization swiftly denied all allegations. Raul Rocha released a video statement saying Omar was removed because his comments were damaging the reputation of charitable initiatives like “Beyond the Crown.” Rocha also shared official messages showing the formal notice of Omar’s removal from the panel.
Omar responded by claiming he was forced to resign due to what he described as “inappropriate conduct” and alleged that a “secret committee” had already shortlisted 30 finalists before the preliminary rounds began. He also hinted at a rumored romance between a contestant and a committee member, which, he claimed, made the judging process even more questionable.
The Miss Universe Organization rejected these claims entirely, stressing that no secret committee exists, the judging process was fully transparent, and all decisions were made following formal and official procedures. They emphasized that judges were carefully selected and that every step of the competition maintained integrity and fairness.
Despite the controversy, Fatima Bouch’s achievement has been celebrated worldwide, with fans praising her performance, poise, and talent. However, Omar Harfouch’s statements have fueled debates about transparency and ethics in global pageants, making Miss Universe 2025 one of the most talked-about competitions in recent years.
