Miss UniverseFátima Boschis pushing back against the rumors swirling around her headline-making coronation.
Since winning the global title last month, the 27-year-old Miss Mexico sat down withNightlineanchorJuJu Changto address the controversies that have followed her since pageant night — including allegations that the competition was rigged in her favor and reports that she's considering giving up the crown.
A preview of the interview aired onGood Morning Americaon Tuesday, Dec. 2, ahead of the full piece's debut on the ABC evening news show.
In the piece, Bosch began by reflecting on the moment she was crowned at the2025 Miss Universe competition last month. "That moment felt like a dream come true," she told Chang.
But that dream has been shadowed by days of drama, includinga now-viral Nov. 4 walkout that Bosch ledafter a heated confrontation with pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil.
While many online viewers praised her fortaking action in the moment, Bosch admitted she was terrified. "Yeah, and I was scared at that time," she said. She also feared speaking out might cost her the crown. "I can't stay quiet because in every case, your dignity is more important than any price or any dream that you have."
Speaking out, though, would only lead to more headlines, including claims thather defiance was rewarded with the crown.
She firmly rejects the idea that her win was anything other than earned. "No," Bosch said. "I make the same effort that all the pageant [participants] make. And this is a joke. But I feel like I made history, so why not?"
Daniel Topic; Mohan Raj/Getty
And then there's former competition judge Omar Harfouch, whoannounced his resignationfrom the judging panel days before the finale, alleging that the Miss Universe Organization formed an "impromptu jury" to choose30 finalists before participants from 136 countries even took the stagefor the preliminaries. The pageant denied his claims,posting a public statementon Instagram.
Additionally, Harfouch claimed thatBosch's win was "fake", alleging that Miss Universe owner Raúl Rocha hasbusiness ties with Bosch's father.
That's something Bosch forcefully denied as well. "They make this campaign of hate," she said. "My father has nothing to do with the organization and it's crazy. How are you going to buy a crown? Maybe in Walmart you can buy a crown, yeah. But not in Miss Universe for sure."
She was equally direct when asked about the rumors that she was thinking about stepping away from her title.
"Of course not," Bosch said. "I will never step away from this crown. I'm not here for fame or modeling or searching for a husband. I'm here because God put a purpose on my heart. I have a mission and I will do that all the years, to serve others, to help."
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Itsaragrisilhas since apologizedfor his heated confrontation with Bosch, and the twohappily posed for photosafter her crowning at the pageant. Miss Universe Organization told ABC that his role moving forward will be "limited or eliminated entirely."
Rocha made similar comments aboutrestricting Nawat's participationin the Miss Universe pageant in early November; however, the pageant executive was photographed at numerous Miss Universe events in the lead-up to the crowning, and contestant Melissa Sapini tells PEOPLE that thecontestants regularly saw the pageant executivein the following weeks.
A representative for Miss Grand International, the pageant organization that Itsaragrisil is also the president of, told PEOPLE in a statement, because Itsaragrisil is the "CEO of MGI and the official Host President and primary investor of the 74th Miss Universe competition," he "is obligated to oversee all host-related activities" and that, "as Host, Mr. Nawat had to represent MGI at all venues. Although Raul publicly claimed restrictions, such limitations were never realistic nor enforceable. Ultimately, MUO acknowledged the situation and resumed proper cooperation."
Bosch, meanwhile, says she's focused on using her platform to represent women's empowerment and lift others up as the attention around her historic win continues.
Nightlineairs weeknights (12:35 a.m. ET) on ABC.GMAkicks off on the same network weekdays beginning at 7 a.m. ET.
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