Fátima Bosch may be navigating one of the most dramatic starts to a Miss Universe reign in recent memory, but you would never know it from the radiant smile she flashed high above Manhattan this week.
The newly crowned Miss Universe 2025 lit up the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, showing off a polished winter look as she took in the sweeping skyline and greeted the crowds eager to meet her.
Her visit to the landmark, part of the long-standing New York debut for every Miss Universe winner, came just hours after Bosch publicly broke her silence regarding the swirling rumors, fraud accusations, and personal attacks that have followed her since she won the crown on November 21.
For the 26-year-old Mexican beauty queen, the day became a striking blend of glamour and grit, a moment to celebrate her milestone while standing firm against the scrutiny that has shadowed her early reign.
Bosch arrived in New York and immediately dove into a schedule packed with iconic city stops. Before stepping onto the Empire State Building’s open-air deck, she made a heartfelt visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where she prayed before the Virgen de Guadalupe, a spiritual touchstone she has long regarded as the mother figure of her homeland.
She followed that with a stop at the Consulate of Mexico in New York, where she spoke with community members and met Consul Marcos Bucio. “It was a very interesting morning in which I had the opportunity to meet part of our migrant community and see the great work being done to provide them support, security, and better opportunities."
She continued, "I thank Consul Marcos Bucio for all his attention and for welcoming me with such warmth. My admiration and congratulations for the extraordinary work he does."
Once atop the Empire State Building, Bosch posed beside the famous binocular viewers, taking in the crisp winter air while overlooking Times Square, Bryant Park, and the sprawling avenues below. She smiled for photographers, greeted the media, and shared the moment with her mother, who joined her for the milestone.
She toured the building’s museum and the legendary King Kong exhibit, complete with the giant gorilla’s hand bursting through the wall. She also experienced the skyscraper’s immersive elevator simulation, where screens animate the building’s history and its many film cameos.
The moment was deeply personal for Bosch, who has long held a special love for the city. “But I will tell you that I am very excited about this. I have loved New York since I was little. I have been here so many times and never thought that one day the flag of my country would be on this building. It is incredible, I feel great, and I am very excited,” she said during her tour.
Her polished appearance and upbeat energy stood in stark contrast to the serious headlines she addressed earlier in the week. After days of speculation, Bosch finally responded to the social media firestorm that erupted after her win, including accusations of fraud and rumors that she planned to renounce the crown.
Speaking on Hoy Día, she dismissed the claims with firmness and clarity. “Of course not, because I deserve this crown and I deserve this sash. The reality is that many things can be said, but I repeat, there is only one truth. I made the same effort as all my fellow contestants, I made the same commitment as all my fellow contestants, and we went through exactly the same tests. And I won. So why would I give up something I worked for?” she affirmed.
She also described how the controversy has affected her personally, acknowledging the emotional toll of the criticism. “I am 25 years old, I had never been in this environment. Of course it hurts. Of course it hurts because they attack my family, they attack me, but when God puts a purpose in your heart there will be a lot of adversity, and I will not stop being here because I am in Miss Universe solely for philanthropy and social causes.”
The latest defamation lawsuit against Miss Universe Fátima Bosch:
Complicating matters further is the legal action initiated by Nawat Itsaragrisil, director of Miss Universe Thailand, who filed a formal complaint in Thailand following a tense incident in early November.
His team claims the dispute was the result of a linguistic misunderstanding. “We want to reaffirm that Mr. Nawat Itsaragrisil never called Ms. Fátima Bosch ‘dumbhead.’ What he said was ‘damage,’ which can be clearly heard in the voice recordings that have already circulated widely across various platforms,” his lawyers stated.
The renewed legal friction added yet another layer of pressure to Bosch’s first days as the new Miss Universe.
But even with tension simmering online and abroad, Bosch remains focused on the work ahead. As she continues her official tour in New York, she stands by the integrity of her victory.
“I believe everyone knows it is completely false. My win obviously unleashed a lot of controversy, but I think when a person breaks a mold, they break a stereotype, which is what Miss Universe is doing today.”
She also emphasized her commitment to a modern vision for the pageant. “It is a great honor for me to be part of this and for the girls at home to know that what matters more is what you have in your mind and what you have in your heart.”