Miss Universe President, Raúl Rocha, on controversies: "I'm so fed up"

Published 26 Nov 2025 at 5:41 PM

by Rose Dabu

3 min read

• Raúl Rocha weighs selling the Miss Universe brand after nonstop issues around the pageant

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• Fresh claims of rigging spark more tension, with judges and candidates stepping down

• Rocha denies all allegations, including talk about past deals with Fatima Bosch’s father

• More voices question the pageant’s transparency, adding pressure on MUO’s leadership

Raúl Rocha, president of the Miss Universe Organization, is thinking about letting go of the franchise as fresh problems surround this year’s pageant.

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In an interview with Mexican journalist Adela Micha on her show Me Lo Dijo Adela, he spoke about his growing frustration.

He said he is tired of the talk and is now searching for someone who can take over MUO. He bought 50% of the group in 2024 through Legacy Holdings Group.

Controversies grew louder after Mexico’s Fatima Bosch won on Nov. 21.

Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch, who said he quit as a judge days before the event, claimed the result was fixed because of Rocha’s supposed business link to Bosch’s father. Rocha denied this.

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Several candidates also stepped down from their titles, such as Côte d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yacé and Brigitta Schaback of Estonia.

Miss Universe Guyana and Ghana national director Teri Brown-Walker also gave up her roles over concerns about fairness. Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub added that the fan-voted Most Beautiful People award was rigged.

Much of Rocha’s interview focused on his anger toward Harfouch, even calling him the psycho pianist.

He said he only brought Harfouch into the jury because a friend suggested him for a peace concert idea. Harfouch later claimed that an impromptu jury picked 30 finalists in secret. Rocha said no judges resigned.

Questions also came up about Bosch’s father. Rocha explained that his company once held an 11-month contract with Pemex, where Bosch’s father works, but it ended in Dec. 2023, long before he got involved with Miss Universe.

Rocha added that he only met Bosch’s family two months ago at Miss Universe Mexico. He also defended why Yacé could not win, saying she needs visas for 175 countries, which would make her duties hard. Yacé later gave up her Africa and Oceania crowns.

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Read PhilSTAR Lifge's article here to know more about this story.

Ahtisa Manalo is a Filipina beauty queen and businesswoman best known for representing the Philippines in international pageants, where she has earned recognition for her grace, intelligence, and advocacy work. She first rose to prominence after winning Binibining Pilipinas International 2018, later finishing as 1st Runner-Up at Miss International 2018 and becoming one of the Philippines’ strongest contenders in global competitions. Beyond pageantry, Manalo is an entrepreneur and an advocate for youth empowerment, working with organizations like Alon Akademie to provide opportunities for young people from low-income backgrounds. Known for her poise and warm personality, she has built a reputation as one of the Philippines’ most admired and respected beauty queens.

In a previous report by KAMI, Ahtisa Manalo shared her thoughts on her Miss Universe 2025 experience, looking back on the journey that led her to a third runner-up finish. She highlighted her pride in representing the Philippines and thanked her supporters for their encouragement. Beyond the competition, she emphasized the importance of using her platform for advocacy and positive change. Fans responded warmly, commending her grace, dedication, and meaningful message.