Fátima Bosch is learning that heavy is the head that wears the crown. Just two weeks after being crowned Miss Universe at the November 21 ceremony, the former Miss Mexico was slamming speculation that her win, which came soon after executive Nawat Itsaragrisil called her "dumb" in a viral confrontation, was rigged. "Of course, no," Bosch reasoned when asked if her viral moment had anything to do with her win in a Good Morning America interview on December 2. "I made the same effort that all the pageant [contestants] make."
When presented with comments made by judge Omar Harfouch—who stepped down after alleging there had been a "secret vote" and had called her a "fake winner"—the 25-year-old insinuated he was looking for attention. "If he wanted more followers on Instagram," she said with a hint of sarcasm, "he should get into a show, a TV show maybe."
As for Harfouch's suggestion that there were "business ties" between Miss Universe co-owner Raúl Rocha and Bosch's father, the competition's winner vehemently denied the claim. "My father has nothing to do with this organization," she insisted. "It's crazy. How are you going to buy a crown? Maybe in Walmart you could buy a crown, but not in Miss Universe for sure."
The Miss Universe organization itself also denied Harfouch's allegations of a "secret vote," saying in a November 19 statement ahead of crowning Bosch, per the BBC, that "no external group has been authorized to evaluate delegates or select finalists."
Nevertheless, some contestants took serious measures to distance themselves from controversy. Olivia Yacé, the pageant's fourth runner-up, relinquished her title on November 21, saying she "must remain true" to her values of "respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity." "With a heart full of gratitude and profound respect," Yacé said in a statement, "I hereby announce my resignation from the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, as well as from any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee."
