Miss Universe Norway Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland, who captured global attention with her viral salmon-inspired national costume, has stirred controversy in the wake of Miss Universe 2025, claiming that the pageant’s Top 10 finalists were decided well before the live finale.
During a recent social media livestream, Lysglimt-Rødland expressed disappointment over what she described as a lack of transparency in the competition. “Miss Universe had already picked out their top 10 before the finals, like 15 days before. So, we were all really disappointed when we hear that," she said.
She continued, "We thought, what is the point of competition if [the] Miss Universe organization had already made up their mind,” she said, adding, “It was true as well.”
Her remarks come shortly after Miss Universe Mexico Fátima Bosch was crowned the 2025 titleholder in Nonthaburi, Thailand. Bosch’s win itself had been shadowed by controversy, including a viral confrontation with a pageant executive and claims from a former judge alleging favoritism.
The Miss Universe Organization has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all judging followed standard, supervised protocols. Lysglimt-Rødland first became a fan favorite during the preliminary national costume competition, where she wowed audiences by embodying a giant Norwegian salmon complete with shimmering scales, fins, and a dramatic fish head.
Despite her popularity, Lysglimt-Rødland did not advance to the Top 12, a fact she cited in her livestream as evidence that decisions may have been made before the finals. Her comments have sparked discussion among pageant fans and observers about transparency and fairness in one of the world’s most-watched beauty competitions.
The Miss Universe 2025 finale featured 130 contestants from around the globe, narrowing from a Top 30 to a Top 12, before revealing the Top 5 finalists. Joining Bosch on the podium were Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh as first runner-up and Miss Venezuela Stephany Abasali as second runner-up.
With the 2026 pageant already slated for Puerto Rico in celebration of Miss Universe’s 75th Diamond Anniversary, fans and contestants alike are watching closely, eager for clarity and accountability in the judging process.
Adding to the post-pageant conversation, Miss Venezuela Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser previously revealed she had a strong sense that Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch would take home the crown. “I knew it,” Abasali shared.
“She had done it incredibly well. I told her I was really happy, and just before the final results, I said to her, ‘Whoever goes to the top invites the other to vacation in their country.’ So a trip to Mexico is now pending.”
Abasali was also the first contestant to embrace and congratulate Bosch after her coronation, highlighting a moment of camaraderie amid the competition’s high stakes.