Why Miss Universe Contestant Olivia Yacé Renounced Her Title

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Miss Universe 2025 finalist Olivia Yacé is sticking to her principles.

That’s why, a few days after November 21st, the fourth-place winner said she didn’t want to be Miss Universe Africa and Oceania and gave up the title.

Okay, so Olivia posted on Instagram the other day, and honestly, it was everything. She was talking about competing for Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok, and she said being there really showed her she could achieve amazing things even when things get tough. But what really got me was how she said she needs to stay true to herself – respect, dignity, striving for excellence, and believing everyone deserves a fair chance. She said those are the things that guide her, and honestly, it’s just so inspiring! I’m completely obsessed with her and her message.

The 27-year-old announced her resignation as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, and stated she will no longer be involved with the Miss Universe Committee, expressing deep gratitude and respect.

Miss Universe 2025 finalist Olivia Yacé is sticking to her principles.

I was shocked to learn that the fourth runner-up, after being named Miss Universe Africa and Oceania on November 21st, actually decided to give up the title just days later. It was a really unexpected turn of events!

Olivia shared on Instagram on November 21st that representing Côte d’Ivoire at the 2025 Miss Universe competition in Bangkok proved she could achieve a lot even when facing challenges. She explained that staying true to her core values – respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity – is essential for her continued success, as these values strongly guide her path.

With deep gratitude and respect, I am resigning from my position as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, and will no longer be involved with the Miss Universe Committee, the 27-year-old announced.

TopMob News has reached out to the Miss Universe Organization for comment and has not heard back.

Olivia, who finished fifth in the 2025 Miss Universe pageant – after Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines, Stephany Abasali of Venezuela, Praveenar Sing of Thailand, and winner Fátima Bosch of Mexico – shared that she has always been dedicated and determined in her role as both an ambassador and a beauty queen.

She explained that to truly succeed, she needs to stay true to her core beliefs – the principles that will help her achieve her best.

Olivia also mentioned her previous statement about wanting to be a positive influence for young people.

She urged others to challenge themselves, confidently pursue opportunities even when they feel out of place, and be proud of who they are. This dedication to making a difference is why she’s decided to step down as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, allowing her to focus fully on advocating for the principles she believes in.

Olivia urged Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities to keep pushing boundaries and entering spaces where they haven’t traditionally been welcomed. She encouraged them to pave the way for future generations, refusing to let others define their identities or limit what they can achieve, emphasizing that their visibility and voices are essential.

Olivia isn’t the first contestant to step away after competing. Brigitta Schaback gave up her title as Miss Universe Estonia shortly after the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, explaining on social media that her beliefs and work style didn’t match those of the national director, Natalie Korneitsik.

According to the Miss Estonia organization, they did everything they could to allow Brigitta Schaback to compete in Miss Universe. However, they claim she recently made public statements that were unsuitable, damaging to others, violated professional standards, and caused public upset.

Brigitta did not respond to People‘s request for comment.

Read on for more controversial issues that have rocked the beauty pageant world in recent years…

Miss USA 2018 has apologized to Miss Cambodia and Miss Vietnam after some of her Instagram comments caused controversy. She explained that she said something she now understands could be seen as disrespectful, and she is sorry.

During the 2015 Miss Universe pageant, the show’s host accidentally announced the wrong winner. He initially crowned Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, but quickly returned to the stage to correct his mistake, explaining he had misread the results. The actual winner was Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurzbach.

The former Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International was arrested for faking her cancer diagnosis. 

After Donald Trump made controversial statements about Mexican immigrants, the Colombian singer called off his planned performance at the 2015 Miss USA pageant.

In 2015, Miss Zimbabwe lost her crown after explicit photos of her were found on an app.

Amanda Longacre, Miss Delaware, had her title taken away because she was considered too old – just 24 years old. In a tearful interview with Today, she expressed her frustration, saying, “It’s not fair!”

Nia, Miss Nevada USA, won the Miss USA title in 2014. Soon after, questions arose about whether she genuinely lived in Las Vegas, as competition rules required. She strongly denied these claims, stating they were false.

The 22-year-old resigned after facing backlash for political statements she posted on Facebook prior to the competition.

Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012, faced criticism for potentially breaking Indian law. She was accused of doing some promotional modeling near the Taj Mahal without getting the necessary permissions.

The winner of Miss Delaware Teen USA relinquished her title after a video appeared online showing a woman reportedly engaging in sexual activity with a man. However, the winner, King, strongly denied being the person in the video, stating it was “absolutely not” her.

The Miss Pennsylvania winner stepped down, explaining that allowing transgender women to compete deeply conflicted with her personal beliefs and that she believed the competition was unfair. Donald Trump then filed a lawsuit against her, claiming defamation. The judge ruled in Trump’s favor, ordering her to pay him $5 million in damages.

Things are definitely changing! After Talackova, a transgender woman competing for Miss Canada, was disqualified, the Miss Universe organization updated its rules. Now, for the 2013 pageant and beyond, transgender women are allowed to compete.

In April 2012, the 26-year-old former Miss USA, the first Arab-American to hold the title, accepted a plea deal for a DUI. She had been arrested for drunk driving in Michigan the previous December.

During the 2011 Miss Universe competition, Miss Colombia caused a stir when it was noticed she wasn’t wearing underwear at certain appearances. Event organizers spoke with her about the issue.

The reality show famous for dressing young children as beauty pageant contestants crossed the line for the Parents Television Council when it featured a three-year-old child costumed as the character from the movie Pretty Woman—specifically, Julia Roberts’ character.

During the 2009 Miss USA competition, Miss California’s answer to a question about same-sex marriage caused a lot of public discussion and media attention. This also gave the pageant, herself, and Donald Trump a significant amount of free publicity. Trump initially let her continue in the competition, but later dismissed her for breaking her contract.

Vanessa Williams, the first African American woman to be crowned Miss America, lost her title when provocative photos of her from a Penthouse magazine shoot became public. However, she didn’t let this setback define her. She reinvented herself as a singer and actress, ultimately becoming more famous than most Miss America winners.

After losing her Miss Nevada title due to revealing photos of herself, Rees has publicly criticized what she believes was unfair treatment. She argues that others who faced similar situations, like Prejean, were allowed to keep their titles, highlighting a double standard.

Shortly after winning Miss California, Silva had her title taken away because of a mistake in the financial records. She initially filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination, but she later withdrew it.

Trump also supported the Miss USA winner who admitted to drinking, drug use, and other inappropriate behavior, but was allowed to keep her title after agreeing to enter rehabilitation.

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2025-11-25 01:19