Another Miss Universe Star Steps Down, Citing Concerns

Olivia Yacé, Fourth runner-up Miss Universe

Image Credit: Instagram/@olivia.yace

Miss Universe is facing fresh scrutiny after another contestant announced she is resigning her title and distancing herself from the organization. Olivia Yacé, who represented Côte d’Ivoire at Miss Universe 2025 and finished as the fourth runner-up, confirmed she is stepping away from her position as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania. Her departure comes just days after Miss Universe Estonia Brigitta Schaback also resigned.

Yacé made her decision public in a detailed message on her social platforms, saying she could no longer continue in a role that didn’t reflect the principles she considers essential. She noted that the competition tested her resilience and gave her the chance to prove her abilities on an international stage, but remaining affiliated with the pageant would no longer align with the values she tries to uphold in her work.

In her announcement, Yacé emphasized themes of dignity, equal opportunity, and the importance of representation. She said stepping down allows her to focus on the causes she wants to promote without being tied to the expectations or limitations that come with a Miss Universe title. She also directed part of her message toward Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities, urging them to continue pursuing roles and spaces where they are often underrepresented.

The Ivorian contestant added that she hopes her decision encourages younger girls to prioritize self-respect over recognition and remain committed to creating new paths for themselves. While she thanked supporters and acknowledged the positive moments she experienced during the competition, she also made clear that her work will continue independently of the Miss Universe Committee.

Her exit mirrors the earlier resignation of Brigitta Schaback, the Miss Universe Estonia representative, who cited disagreements with her National Director. Schaback explained that her professional values did not match the direction taken by her country’s pageant leadership, and that she would continue her advocacy for women’s empowerment without the Miss Universe association.

These departures arrive during a turbulent period for the famed Beauty Pageant. Miss Universe 2025 has been marked by a string of incidents that collectively raised concerns about the organization’s internal culture. One contestant was injured after falling from the stage, while several judges stepped down, reportedly due to what they described as exclusionary conduct behind the scenes.

The most widely discussed controversy involves a viral video showing Nawat Itsaragrisil, previously the Miss Universe president for Asia and Oceania, confronting Miss Universe Mexico Fátima Bosch at a pre-pageant event. In the recording, he can be heard criticizing her performance, allegedly calling her “dumb,” and instructing security to remove her. Other contestants responded by walking out in protest, which then prompted threats of consequences if they did not return.

Although Itsaragrisil later apologized and was dismissed from his position, he was seen attending subsequent pageant activities, including posing in photographs with Bosch after she was crowned Miss Universe. The images added further confusion for viewers who questioned whether disciplinary actions within the organization were consistently applied.

As a result, the departures of Yacé and Schaback have intensified public discussion around how the pageant is managed and whether contestants feel adequately supported. Searches related to “Why did Miss Universe Ivory Coast Olivia Yacé resign her title and the Full Miss Universe 2025 scandal explained” have significantly increased as audiences try to make sense of the rapid sequence of events.

With two contestants stepping down in a short span—one of them holding a major continental title—the Miss Universe organization now faces pressure to address concerns about transparency, treatment of participants, and the overall direction of the competition. For a global platform that has long promoted empowerment and opportunity, the recent developments have raised new questions about how those ideals are practiced behind the scenes.

As the fallout continues, Miss Universe enters a critical phase where its response may determine how viewers, contestants, and international partners perceive the brand’s credibility going forward. The coming weeks will likely reveal whether the organization plans to implement internal reviews or make changes in response to the growing dissatisfaction surrounding Miss Universe 2025.

Discover more insights in the original article on Entertainment Weekly