After over four decades defining the standard of beauty on the global stage, Osmel Sousa — the Cuban-Venezuelan mastermind known as “El Zar de la Belleza” — has officially stepped away from the Miss Universe Organization. The 78-year-old icon, who shaped the modern image of Latin American pageantry, announced his resignation in a touching letter that felt more like a love note than a goodbye.
Sousa clarified that his decision wasn’t born from controversy but reflection. “After fulfilling my mission at Miss Universe, I decided to resign from my position as advisor to the organization,” he wrote. “This was not a decision taken lightly, but one I felt was necessary after reflecting on what I had achieved and what I want for the future.”
© Getty ImagesA Heartfelt Return to His Roots
Having spent the past few months living abroad, Sousa admitted that the distance from his beloved Venezuela, the country he turned into a global beauty empire, deeply affected him. “Living completely alone, far from my Venezuela, made me think deeply,” he shared. “At this stage in my life, I need to be surrounded by loved ones, those who have supported and understood me through good times and bad. That is why I decided to return to my homeland.”
This emotional confession resonated across Latin America, where generations grew up watching the elegance, confidence, and near-military discipline Sousa instilled in his queens. His departure marks not just the closing of a professional chapter but a return to personal peace.
The Man Who Built a Beauty Empire
Sousa’s name became legendary as president of the Miss Venezuela Organization from 1981 to 2018. With an obsessive eye for perfection, he redefined pageant preparation, turning diction lessons, posture drills, and catwalk practice into an art form.
The results were historic. Under his leadership, Venezuela captured seven Miss Universe titles, six Miss World crowns, and eight Miss International victories, earning its nickname as “the factory of queens.”
© John ParraHe was behind the rise of icons like Dayana Mendoza, Stefanía Fernández, and Alicia Machado, women who not only conquered crowns but represented Latin beauty and resilience to the world.
From National Mentor to Global Advisor
After stepping down from Miss Venezuela, Sousa carried his magic touch to Univision’s Nuestra Belleza Latina, where he served as a judge and mentor from 2007 to 2016. His sharp wit, frank criticism, and genuine warmth made him a fan favorite, and the contestants he guided often went on to enjoy remarkable careers.
His most recent role as an international advisor for the Miss Universe Organization expanded his influence beyond borders, blending his signature flair with the pageant’s evolving global vision. Yet, as Sousa emphasized, his resignation wasn’t rooted in friction.
© WireImage“My departure from the organization is not marked by any type of conflict. It’s simply the end of a cycle that had already been fulfilled,” he stated, extending thanks to business partners Raúl Rocha and Paulina for their support. “I am immensely grateful for everything I learned and for the teamwork, dedication, and passion that everyone puts into this pageant.”
For millions, Osmel Sousa is a cultural force. He took beauty, often dismissed as superficial, and elevated it into a language of confidence, artistry, and national pride. His influence shaped not only the faces seen on stage but also how Latin America defined glamour and discipline.
Pre-pageant Tension
Adding to the pre-pageant tension, Osmel Sousa's departure comes during troubling times for the organization. Global headlines were made when controversy arose in Thailand concerning Nawat Itsaragrisil, who serves as the director of the Miss Universe Thailand organization and the president of Miss Grand International.
In a viral incident, Mexico’s representative, Fátima Bosch, accused Nawat of confronting her in front of other contestants during a rehearsal event. The video, widely shared on Instagram and TikTok, displayed an awkward interaction that quickly attracted online criticism.
© @jorgeferraezThe Miss Universe 2025 pageant, scheduled to captivate audiences on November 21, is facing unexpected drama just weeks before the competition. Germany's representative, Diana Fast, has officially withdrawn from the event. Meanwhile, a separate controversy involving the pageant's Thai director and Miss Mexico has added to the unfolding situation.
Diana Fast, who earned the title of Miss Germany 2025 earlier this year, announced on social media that she will not be traveling to Thailand for the international competition. Her reason was deeply personal, a decision grounded in motherhood and family values.
