Olivia Yacé, who recently earned the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania during the Miss Universe 2025 coronation night in Bangkok, has formally resigned from the role only days after her win. The Ivorian beauty queen, who finished as 4th runner-up in the global competition, announced her decision in a bilingual statement released on Monday, November 24.
In her message, Yacé said the choice to step down was rooted in her commitment to personal principles that she considers essential to her journey. She stressed that remaining aligned with her core values—respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity—is crucial as she continues to pursue excellence beyond the pageant stage.
“As the representative of Côte d’Ivoire at the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Bangkok, I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity,” she wrote. “To continue on this path, I must remain true to my values… the strongest pillars that guide me.”
Yacé added that her resignation includes disengaging fully from the Miss Universe Organisation. “With a heart full of gratitude and profound respect, I hereby announce my resignation from the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, as well as from any affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee,” she stated.
Her departure comes during a turbulent moment for the Miss Universe pageant. This year’s event has faced mounting scrutiny, with accusations of vote manipulation and a string of notable withdrawals overshadowing its aftermath. The controversy intensified after Miss Mexico—whose dramatic walkout became one of the night’s key moments—went on to win the crown.
Additional concerns have been raised by Miss Universe Palestine, Nadeen Ayoub, who called attention to alleged irregularities in the “Most Beautiful People” category on the official pageant app, including voting activity that remained open after the competition had supposedly concluded.
The judging panel was not spared from the turmoil. Jury member Omar Harfouch resigned before the event’s conclusion, citing a lack of transparency in the voting process and describing a “disrespectful conversation” with Raul Rocha about vote-related procedures. Harfouch, a concert pianist and composer, also announced he would no longer perform the music he wrote for the pageant.
Meanwhile, former French football star and manager Claude Makélélé confirmed he would not attend, explaining that the decision stemmed from personal reasons. He emphasised his respect for the Miss Universe platform, noting that his absence should not be viewed as a criticism of the organisation.
Against this backdrop, Yacé’s resignation adds another layer to a year marked by tension, controversy, and questions surrounding the integrity of one of the world’s most recognizable beauty competitions.