Miss Universe turmoil deepens as Côte d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yacé hands over her Africa & Oceania crown

The COMICI made this announcement on Monday, November 24, stating that she is stepping down from her appointed roles within Miss Universe.

"The COMICI (Miss Côte d’Ivoire Committee), holder of the Miss Universe license, regrets to announce the withdrawal of its representative, Olivia Yace, Miss Côte d’Ivoire…  for personal reasons, from her elected mandates with Miss Universe, obtained at the conclusion of the 74th edition of the Miss Universe International pageant," it said in a statement on Facebook.

“Miss Olivia Yace, Miss Universe Africa & Oceania 2025, will formally hand over her Africa & Oceania banner to the organisation so that no one ignores it and to testify to this joint decision,” it added.

This year’s Miss Universe, held in Bangkok, Thailand, has come under criticism following a series of incidents leading up to the final that raised questions about contestant treatment and the competition’s transparency.

The event gained attention when Thai pageant organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly reprimanded Mexico’s Fátima Bosch, this year’s Miss Universe, for not participating in a promotional shoot, reportedly calling her a “dumbhead.” The incident led to several contestants, including former Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig, walking out in protest.

Subsequently, two judges, Lebanese composer Omar Harfouch and French football legend Claude Makélélé, as well as the president of the selection committee, Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, resigned days before the November 21 finale.

Harfouch has alleged that the finalists and winners were predetermined. Judge Natalie Glebova, who won the pageant in 2005, expressed her support for Miss Thailand as the winner on Instagram and announced she would not judge again until organisers ensure transparency. 

The results faced criticism online, with many arguing that Miss Côte d’Ivoire was unfairly overlooked and should have won.