Miss Universe 2025 was supposed to be a glittering celebration of beauty, culture, and global unity. Instead, the pageant closed with an uproar that set the entire pageant community ablaze. Just moments after the crown was placed on the new queen’s head in Thailand, host Steve Byrne stunned the world with revelations that instantly sent shockwaves across social media.
In a statement he later posted online, Byrne suggested that irregularities may have occurred in the scoring process—irregularities that, according to him, may have affected the placement of Philippine candidate Ahtisa Manalo.
Ahtisa, who delivered one of the night’s most memorable performances—from her intricate national costume to her elegant evening gown, and especially her moving, well-received Q&A—finished only as 3rd Runner-Up. Many pageant fans believed she was a strong contender for the crown, some even calling her the most polished and consistent candidate of the year.
But Byrne’s post changed everything.
He shared an image of what he claimed to be an “official results card,” sparking immediate fury online. His revelation fueled speculation that Ahtisa’s true ranking might not have been reflected during the live announcement. Though no verified evidence has confirmed his claims, the mere suggestion was enough to ignite a firestorm.
Across social platforms, Filipinos rallied behind Ahtisa. Hashtags supporting her surged to the top, with fans insisting she was the “real Miss Universe 2025.” International audiences also joined the debate, questioning the transparency of the scoring and calling for a formal clarification.
The Miss Universe Organization quickly stood by the official results:
– Winner: Fatima Bosch (Mexico)
– 1st Runner-Up: Praveenar Singh (Thailand)
– 2nd Runner-Up: Stephany Abasali (Venezuela)
– 3rd Runner-Up: Ahtisa Manalo (Philippines)
Still, Byrne’s unexpected statement cast a long shadow over the finale, prompting renewed discussions about judging systems, panel transparency, and the pressures surrounding one of the world’s biggest competitions.
Despite the controversy, Ahtisa remains composed and admired. Her journey—marked by elegance, discipline, and sincere connection to her supporters—continues to inspire. But the sudden twist has added a dramatic new chapter to her story: not just a pageant challenge, but a test of truth, perception, and public trust.
Whether the debate will fade or escalate remains to be seen. For now, one thing is clear:
Miss Universe 2025 will be remembered not only for its crowned queen, but for the revelation that shook the entire pageant world.