The Miss Universe empire is cracking under pressure—and now, its leader wants out.
Raul Rocha, the co-owner and president of the Miss Universe Organization, has revealed he’s ready to step away from the global beauty pageant. Speaking candidly in a recent Spanish-language interview with Mexican journalist Adela Micha, Rocha confessed that he’s actively searching for someone to take over his role, saying the situation feels like a marathon he’s eager to hand off. “It’s like a relay race—who do I pass the baton to?” he mused.
Rocha, a prominent Mexican businessman who bought half of the Miss Universe Organization in January 2024, admitted he’s had enough. The endless scrutiny and demands tied to owning and running such a high-profile brand have worn him down. “I’m tired of all the talk,” Rocha said. “Everyone wants to tell you what choices to make—who to hire, who to fire, and why you make the decisions you do.” His comments painted a picture of a man weary of behind-the-scenes drama and eager to cut ties.
But what exactly pushed him to this breaking point? That’s where it gets messy.
The timing of Rocha’s remarks is no coincidence. Just days before this year’s pageant in Bangkok, the Miss Universe Organization was rocked by a wave of resignations. High-profile members of the selection committee—including musician Omar Harfouch, soccer legend Claude Makélélé, and committee president Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie—publicly stepped down. The sudden walkouts sent shockwaves through the competition and its fanbase.
Adding to the chaos, Harfouch accused organizers of secretly assembling an “improvised jury” to decide the top 30 contestants before the competition had even started. Though the organization quickly denied the allegations in an Instagram statement, the claim struck a nerve with many. One contestant later told People magazine the accusation was “heartbreaking,” noting that many participants had sacrificed careers, families, and personal stability to compete fairly. “We joined because we believed in this organization’s integrity,” she said—a statement that resonated globally.
And yet, the turmoil didn’t end there.
On November 4, another scandal erupted when pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly humiliated Miss Mexico contestant—and eventual Miss Universe winner—Fátima Bosch during a livestream. After Bosch accused him of disrespecting her “as a woman,” Itsaragrisil reportedly called her “dumb” and ordered security to remove her. The confrontation sparked outrage among fellow contestants, who staged a dramatic walkout in solidarity.
In response, Rocha swiftly intervened, disciplining Itsaragrisil and ultimately removing him from his position. His efforts to stabilize the organization, however, may have come too late.
So now, the man who once dreamed of leading Miss Universe into a new era seems determined to distance himself from its current chaos. But here’s the provocative question: Is Rocha stepping down because of fatigue—or because these scandals reveal deeper cracks in the pageant’s culture and operations?
Do you think Miss Universe can ever recover its credibility, or has the global beauty pageant industry finally reached its breaking point? Share your thoughts below—this debate is far from over.