Lupita Jones didn't need a long speech to sum up the crisis shaking Miss Universe. Asked in Thailand about how to " save " The competition, Miss Universe 1991 responded: « I think the problems Miss Universe is facing are due to the owners of the competition. I don't want to involve the title holder in these problems, because I think she is a victim of what is happening. And the problem lies with the owners. They're the ones who brought these problems to the organization. And how can Miss Universe be fixed? By changing the owners. That's the only solution. They've brought shame upon the brand. They must take responsibility.
They need to leave this brand alone and bring in people who truly respect the brand."To restore it to its original purpose: to support women, to strengthen the image of women worldwide, and simply to be a platform where we can express ourselves, bringing a little joy and hope to the many people who still believe in beauty. How can we fix this? We simply need to remove the bad element."
When the journalist asked her how this could be done, Lupita Jones replied that the authorities would have to intervene, or that a buyer would have to come forward: "The authorities need to do something. And find someone willing to pay and buy the contest." That's what the competition needs.
An explosive statement that clearly targets Raúl Rocha, at a time when Miss Universe is weakened by two scandals: the contested crowning of Fátima Bosch and the explosive legal situation of its Mexican co-owner, Raúl Rocha Cantú, wanted by Mexican justice for his links with cartels, money laundering, drug and fuel trafficking.
Raúl Rocha, a co-owner who became a liability for Miss Universe
Co-owner of Miss Universe, Raúl Rocha Cantú, is the subject of an investigation in Mexico involving particularly serious allegations, including organized crime, fuel smuggling, arms trafficking, and drug trafficking. His bank accounts have been frozen as part of this case, and arrest warrants have also been issued. For Miss Universe, the consequences in terms of image and credibility are catastrophic. A global organization that claims to embody elegance, exemplary conduct, and international representation cannot simply treat as a minor detail the fact that one of its co-owners is the target of a legal case of this magnitude.
Fatima Bosch: an official Miss Universe, but completely illegitimate
Fatima Bosch is officially Miss Universe 2025, but the Mexican beauty is facing a wave of protests. Criticism focuses on the selection process, a lack of transparency, accusations of favoritism, and suspicions surrounding the influence of certain individuals within the organization. Several voices connected to the competition, including former jury member Omar Harfouch, have questioned how the winner was chosen or shortlisted, providing evidence to support their claims. Fatima Bosch is therefore wearing a crown whose weight is increasingly heavy, as her election is associated with a crisis of confidence.
Lupita Jones stirs things up
In this context, Lupita Jones's statement resonates as a cry for help to salvage what can be saved from a completely discredited pageant. Between a Miss Universe whose crowning lacks any legitimacy and a co-owner whose legal troubles are jeopardizing the entire organization, the risk of Miss Universe's imminent demise is enormous.
To save Miss Universe, action will be needed.
Today, the brand is unable to answer two seemingly simple questions: Was Fátima Bosch's crowning completely transparent? And can Raúl Rocha remain associated with Miss Universe despite his ties to organized crime? Both answers are obviously "no," and only the two main parties involved seem to still want to convince themselves otherwise.
To save Miss Universe, it won't be enough to improve the show, change the communication strategy, or defend Fátima Bosch's crown. The problem must be addressed at the top. And today, Raúl Rocha appears to be one of the main factors weakening the organization.
Miss Universe can still salvage its image. But for that to happen, one condition is absolutely essential: the departure of Raúl Rocha.. As Miss Universe 1991 so aptly put it: "Take the butt out."
