Lead: Olivia Yacé, who represented Côte d’Ivoire at the Miss Universe 2025 competition held Nov. 21 in Bangkok, announced she is relinquishing the regional title she was awarded and severing future ties with the Miss Universe organization. Yacé, who finished as fourth runner-up and held the designation Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, published a statement on social media saying she must remain true to her principles of respect, dignity and equal opportunity. Her decision follows another recent resignation by Brigitta Schaback of Estonia and comes amid a string of controversies surrounding this year’s pageant.
Key Takeaways
- Olivia Yacé (Côte d’Ivoire), fourth runner-up at Miss Universe 2025 (Bangkok, Nov. 21), has resigned her Miss Universe Africa and Oceania title and announced she will end any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee.
- Yacé framed the move as a values-based decision to focus on dignity, respect, excellence and equal opportunity, and to serve as a role model for Black and Afro-descendant communities.
- Her resignation follows Brigitta Schaback’s public break with Miss Universe Estonia, citing a mismatch with her national director; both statements were posted after the pageant concluded.
- The 2025 Miss Universe event was marked by multiple incidents: a contestant’s fall and injury, judge departures over alleged exclusionary behavior, and a widely circulated pre-pageant confrontation involving Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch.
- Nawat Itsaragrisil, described in reports as president of Miss Universe for Asia and Oceania, apologized for his conduct and was reported dismissed from that role, though he later appeared in event photographs.
Background
The Miss Universe pageant is an annual international competition that confers national and regional titles and attracts global attention for its cultural visibility and commercial partnerships. Regional designations such as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania recognize contestants who stand out among geographic peers and often carry expectations of advocacy and public representation beyond the main crown.
In recent years, pageants including Miss Universe have faced increased scrutiny from contestants, sponsors and audiences over organizational governance, contestant welfare and how events handle disputes. National directors, organizing committees and the Miss Universe brand all play roles in contestant selection, training and post-pageant representation, creating multiple points of friction when values or expectations differ.
Main Event
On Monday, Yacé posted a public statement saying she had achieved important personal milestones at the competition but concluded that continuing in the role would require compromises she could not accept. She emphasized a commitment to respect, dignity, excellence and equal opportunity and said stepping away will allow her to focus on defending those principles in other arenas.
Yacé specifically called on Black, African, Caribbean, American and Afro-descendant communities to continue entering spaces where they may be underestimated, urging collective action to expand opportunity and visibility. She reiterated gratitude for the support she received and framed her resignation as a shift in how she will pursue advocacy and mentorship going forward.
Brigitta Schaback of Estonia resigned earlier, citing a conflict with her national director and a desire to continue empowerment work independently. Both departures have drawn attention to tensions between individual contestants’ missions and the structures that govern national and international pageant participation.
The broader context includes several high-profile disruptions tied to Miss Universe 2025: a viral video in the weeks before the pageant showing a pre-event confrontation involving Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch, judges leaving the contest over alleged exclusionary behavior, and at least one contestant injured after falling from the stage during the event.
Analysis & Implications
Two resignations in quick succession, combined with publicized incidents, raise reputational risks for the Miss Universe organization and its national partners. Sponsors and broadcasters typically weigh brand safety and contestant welfare; persistent controversies can prompt contractual reviews or changes in commercial relationships. For the organization, rapid, transparent responses and concrete policy adjustments will be key to restoring confidence.
For contestants and national directors, these developments may shift how participants negotiate their roles and public statements. Contestants increasingly view pageant titles as platforms for advocacy rather than simply ceremonial honors; when organizational practices clash with personal values, departures like Yacé’s can become a form of statement that amplifies broader debates about representation and institutional accountability.
Regionally, Yacé’s emphasis on African and Afro-descendant communities underscores the symbolic importance of representation at global events. Her resignation could spur more open discussion about how pageants support or limit long-term advocacy work, and whether new models of affiliation or oversight are needed to align contestants’ public missions with organizational practices.
Comparison & Data
| Event | Date / Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Miss Universe 2025 Pageant | Nov. 21, 2025 (Bangkok) | Fourth-runner up: Olivia Yacé (Côte d’Ivoire); multiple incidents reported during the event cycle. |
| Pre-pageant viral incident | Weeks before the pageant | Video circulated showing a confrontation involving Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Mexico; led to public apologies and reported dismissal. |
| Post-pageant resignations | Shortly after Nov. 21 | Olivia Yacé and Brigitta Schaback publicly announced they are stepping away from their respective Miss Universe titles/associations. |
The table summarizes the timeline of major events reported around the 2025 pageant. While the pageant remains a high-profile cultural event, the accumulation of disputes and departures in this cycle is unusual and may prompt structural reviews by organizers and national offices.
Reactions & Quotes
“I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity… To continue on this path, I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity.”
Olivia Yacé (social media statement)
Yacé framed her resignation as a moral and strategic choice to preserve the integrity of her advocacy and to continue inspiring young people in African and Afro-descendant communities.
“My values and work ethics do not align with those of the National Director… I will continue this work independently, without any further association with Miss Universe Estonia.”
Brigitta Schaback (public statement)
Schaback’s resignation highlighted tensions at the national level and the possibility that some contestants prefer to pursue empowerment projects outside formal pageant structures.
Unconfirmed
- Details of any internal disciplinary measures taken by the Miss Universe Committee in response to these resignations have not been publicly confirmed.
- The full scope of conversations between Olivia Yacé and Miss Universe or national organizers prior to her announcement is not available publicly.
- Whether Nawat Itsaragrisil’s reported dismissal is formally rescinded or remains active despite his appearance in event photos is not independently verified.
Bottom Line
Olivia Yacé’s resignation signals that contestants are increasingly prepared to prioritize personal values and long-term advocacy over formal affiliations when the two diverge. Coming on the heels of another contestant’s departure and several high-profile incidents, it intensifies scrutiny of the Miss Universe organization and its national partners.
For organizers and sponsors, the immediate imperative is transparent communication and demonstrable steps to address contestants’ concerns about governance and treatment. For contestants and communities, these departures may catalyze new approaches to representation—either within pageants that reform or through independent platforms that center advocacy without organizational constraints.
Sources
- Entertainment Weekly (entertainment reporting) — original reporting on Olivia Yacé’s resignation, Brigitta Schaback’s statement, and surrounding incidents at Miss Universe 2025.