In many ways,Miss Universeand other pageants were our original reality TV.
In a span of three hours, we watched women from all over the world compete in gowns and swimsuits, nationalcostumesand interviews.
But over the years, Miss Universe began to feel rote, routine, outdated, boring even. Reality TV caught up, bringing today's versions of gowns ("Selling Sunset") and swimsuits ("Love Island"), national costumes ("The Masked Singer") and interviews ("Love is Blind").
Now Miss Universe is bringing the drama.
Suddenly the competition is interesting again - and we can't stop watching.
In the week since Miss Mexico was crowned the winner, we have all the elements of a season of our favorite reality show, including confessionals and a surprise ending. And the conversations about the competition go beyond the usual debates about antiquated pageants asking women to be both poised and perfect while trying to win scholarship money.
This year even eclipsed the sexual harassment and jury rigging, annual allegations in the Miss Universe competition.
Miss Angola Maria Da Cunha, front right, walks on stage with other contestants during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on Nov. 19, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Miss Czech Republic Michaela Tomanova" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Feathers, sequins and national pride rule the runway at Miss Universe 2025
Miss Angola Maria Da Cunha, front right, walks on stage with other contestants during the 2025 Miss Universe national costume presentation in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, on Nov. 19, 2025.
1 The missteps
Before the winner was even crowned,Jamaica's Gabrielle Henrytumbled from the stage during the evening gown competition. She remains in the hospital a week later. Initially, pageant officials said she had not broken any bones and was simply at the hospital for observation. (Pageant leadership blamed Miss Jamaica,Haiti's Melissa Sapini told Peoplemagazine. "The first thing (pageant leadership) said was it's because she wasn't paying attention.") said was it's because she wasn't paying attention.")
2 The name calling
At the sashing ceremony – where the contestants are given the official sashes for their countries – the Thai national pageant director beratedMiss Mexico Fátima Bosch Fernándezwho would later be crowned Miss Universe when he said she didn't follow promotional guidelines earlier this month.
As Bosch walked out of the event, the director called security to try to stop her. Other women joined, including last year's winner, Miss Denmark.
"What your director did is not respectful: he called me dumb," Bosch later told Thai reporters. "If it takes away your dignity, you need to go."
"And I think that the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice," she said. "And no one can shut our voice, and no one will do that to me."
The director apologizedand cried, saying "the pressure is a lot, and I am human." Raúl Rocha Cantú, the pageant's president, criticized him, saying he tried to "silence and exclude "Bosch)."
The president of Mexico,Claudia Sheinbaum, praised her.
She shared a phrase that many girls heard growing up in Mexico and Mexican households: "calladita te ves más bonita."
"That thing they used to say about being prettier when you're quiet is in the past," Sheinbaum said. "Women are prettier when we speak, and we participate."
Former Miss USA Noelia Voigt'disgusted' by Miss Universe Thailand director's comments
3 Allegations of vote rigging
Omar Harfouchstepped down from the eight-member jury, claiming that there was a secret vote – not among judges - to preselect the top 30 of the 136 contestants. Harfouch said he considered suing the Miss Universe Organization for emotional trauma and reputational damage. Another judge also stepped down, but he cited personal reasons.
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4 The internet swarm
This year's death threats weren't about judging, but religion.
The first Miss Palestine contestant Nadeen Ayoub wore a gown featuring the Dome of the Rock and Church of the Holy Sepulchre, both religious sites in Israel.
Israel'sMelanie Shiraz told Fox newsthat she received threats of death and rape after she said a video was edited to make it look as if she gave Ayoub a dirty look.
"My social media got swarmed with hate comments and just these clips from this video that looked like I was standing right next to her," she said.
5 Investigations and arrests
Four days after, a new Miss Universe was crowned, a Bangkok court issued an arrest warrant for Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, a co-owner of the Miss Universe organization. She had missed a court date for allegedly defrauding a company with corporate bonds and deemed a flight risk.
And Cantu is under investigation for drug, gun and fuel trafficking between Guatemala and Mexico.
6 Finally, the ratings
And yet, through it all, Bosch wears the crown, and the ratings climb.
The broadcast was its best in years, according to Nielsen, with NBC reporting 2.6 million total viewers, becoming the most-watched primetime entertainment special on Spanish-language television in 2025.On the official Miss Universe Instagram account, a week after all of this, Bosch posted a photo of herself in a floral black silk halter dress, looking over her shoulder. She captioned it, "Just breathe."
Perhaps next year, pageant officials should take a page from theDallas Cowboys Cheerleadersreality show and turn the competition into a full season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Miss Universe had all the elements of a prime reality TV show
