Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo in BANGKOK, Thailand
ZIMBABWE’S Lyshanda Moyas concluded her Miss Universe 2025 journey with grace, pride and an unmistakable mark of excellence after advancing into the prestigious Top 30 at the world-renowned pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday morning.
Her advancement into the Top 30 echoes last year’s achievement by Sakhile Dube, highlighting a growing pattern of strong performances from the country on the Miss Universe stage.
For weeks, Moyas had been steadily climbing the popularity ranks, winning admiration for her charismatic stage presence, sharp communication skills and cultural authenticity.
The Thai audience, known for embracing contestants who radiate warmth and humility, had warmed up to her with enthusiasm, often cheering loudly whenever she appeared during pre-pageant activities.
Her strong showing at the national costume showcase, preliminary interviews and runway segments helped propel her to the Top 30, solidifying her position as one of the standout African representatives this year.
Speaking after the announcement, Moyas expressed deep appreciation for the support she received from Zimbabweans at home and abroad.
“Representing Zimbabwe at this level has been the greatest honour of my life. I am proud of how far we’ve come, and I carry my country in every step I take. Thank you to every single person who voted and believed in me, your love kept me going, even on the toughest days,” she said.
Beyond the excitement of placement cuts, this year’s pageant once again ignited debate over what many fans describe as “sympathy cards” influencing results at global beauty contests.
A growing number of pageant enthusiasts believe that emotional backstories sometimes outweigh performance quality, with judges appearing to favour contestants whose narratives evoke public compassion.
This concern gained traction last year when Miss Universe Nigeria’s Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, after being sharply rebuked online for a controversial comment, received overwhelming sympathy support from global fans.
Despite her strong recovery and polished final performances, many argued that the dramatic shift in public sentiment played a major role in her unexpected Top 5 placement.
The episode sparked widespread debate about whether emotional narratives are now shaping outcomes more than traditional pageant scoring.
This year, the conversation resurfaced with the eventual winner, Mexico’s Fatima Bosch. While many applauded her polished performance and articulate stage presence, some critics claimed her widely publicised personal struggles, shared during preliminary activities, may have swayed judges and audiences emotionally.
Although nothing suggests foul play, the notion of sympathy-driven momentum became a talking point once again, with passionate supporters on both sides defending the integrity or questioning the fairness of modern-day beauty pageants.
As the competition progressed beyond the Top 30, the atmosphere inside the Impact Arena grew electric.
The pageant narrowed the field to a stellar Top 12 featuring Mexico, Thailand, Cote d’Ivoire, Philippines, United States, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Colombia, Venezuela, India, Brazil and Spain.
The diverse mix showcased a blend of pageant powerhouses and rising nations whose representatives had delivered captivating performances.
From the Top 12, the judges proceeded to trim the group to the Top 5, where the pressure intensified and speeches became the defining moment.
The five finalists who battled for the crown were Mexico, Thailand, Philippines, Cote d’Ivoire and Colombia. Their final answers centred on leadership, cultural representation and addressing global challenges themes that strongly aligned with Miss Universe’s evolving focus on advocacy-driven queens.
Ultimately, Mexico’s Fatima emerged victorious, capturing the Miss Universe 2025 crown to thunderous applause.
Her eloquence, commanding presence and heartfelt final statement resonated deeply with both judges and viewers. The win continued Mexico’s strong history in international pageantry and cemented her status as one of the most compelling delegates of the year.
However, the result did not go without controversy. Many fans at the venue and across social media felt that other contestants, especially Cote d’Ivoire and Thailand, had delivered performances worthy of the crown.
Both women had been crowd favourites throughout the competition, winning online polls and earning consistent praise for their authenticity and stage dominance.
One Thai fan, clearly emotional after the coronation, voiced his frustration.
“Thailand deserved this crown tonight. Our queen gave everything — the walk, the interviews, the national costume. She connected with people in a special way. I really thought it was her moment,” he said.
Another supporter, this time from Côte d’Ivoire, echoed similar sentiments. “Our queen proved that Africa is rising. Her confidence, her story, her beauty, everything was world-class. Many of us feel she was the true Miss Universe tonight. The judges didn’t see what the people saw,” she said, drawing nods from those around her.
Despite the debate, the show concluded with a celebration of diversity, womanhood and global unity principles at the heart of the Miss Universe Organisation. The evening also showcased Thailand’s remarkable capacity to host major international events, with stellar staging, cultural showcases and tightly executed production quality.
For Lyshanda Moyas, the journey may have ended, but her impact remains undeniable. Her Top 30 finish elevates her status not only as a model, but as one of Zimbabwe’s most promising beauty ambassadors on the world stage. Pageant analysts have already noted that her performance this year will inspire a new generation of Zimbabwean hopefuls, and will likely strengthen the nation’s growing reputation in global pageantry.
As for what lies ahead for the Miss Universe competition, the organisation confirmed that next year’s edition will be hosted in Puerto Rico, marking a return to one of the Caribbeans’ most iconic pageant destinations.
The announcement has already sparked anticipation, with fans curious to see which countries will build on their momentum and which new faces will arise to take the global spotlight.
