Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo in Bangkok
THE electri-fying grand finale of Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, delivered all the usual glamour, drama, and controversy, but for Zimbabwe, the event concluded with a palpable sense of pride. Lyshanda Moyas finished her campaign with an unmistakable mark of excellence, securing a coveted spot in the prestigious Top 30, signalling a burgeoning dynasty of strong Zimbabwean performance on the world stage.
Moyas’s advancement is a powerful echo of last year’s Top 30 achievement by Sakhile Dube, solidifying a pattern of competitive quality from the nation. For weeks leading up to the final, Moyas had captivated both the public and analysts, ascending the popularity ranks thanks to her charismatic stage presence, sharp articulation, and authentic celebration of her cultural roots. The enthusiastic Thai audience, who traditionally embrace contestants radiating warmth and humility, welcomed her with open arms, cheering loudly during pre-pageant activities.
Her exceptional showings in the national costume reveal, preliminary interviews, and runway segments were instrumental in propelling her into the Top 30, cementing her status as a standout African representative this year.
Speaking immediately after the announcement, Moyas expressed profound gratitude for the tidal wave of support from Zimbabweans at home and across the diaspora:
“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.”
Beyond the exhilaration of the placement cuts, this year’s competition once again reignited the enduring debate among fans regarding the influence of “sympathy cards” in global beauty contests. A growing number of pageant enthusiasts argue that emotional backstories sometimes overshadow raw performance quality, with judges potentially favouring contestants whose narratives evoke significant public compassion.
This concern gained traction last year when Nigeria’s delegate, Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina, recovered from sharp online criticism over a controversial comment to receive overwhelming global fan support. Despite her polished final performances, many observers suggested that the dramatic shift in public sentiment played a major role in her surprising Top 5 placement, sparking widespread discussion about whether emotional narratives now shape outcomes more than traditional pageant scoring metrics.
The conversation surged again this year following Mexico’s victory. While her eloquent, commanding presence and highly polished performance were widely applauded, a number of critics asserted that her widely publicised personal struggles, shared during preliminary activities, may have emotionally swayed both the judges and the global audience. Although there is no suggestion of foul play, the notion of sympathy-driven momentum became a recurring talking point, with passionate supporters on both sides defending the integrity or questioning the fundamental fairness of modern-day pageantry.
As the competition progressed beyond the Top 30, the atmosphere inside the Impact Arena was electric. The pageant soon narrowed the field to a stellar Top 12, featuring powerhouses and rising nations: Mexico, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Philippines, United States, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Colombia, Venezuela, India, Brazil, and Spain.
From this high-calibre group, the judges trimmed the field to the crucial Top 5: Mexico, Thailand, Philippines, Côte d’Ivoire, and Colombia. This was where the pressure truly intensified, with the final question-and-answer segment becoming the defining moment. The finalists’ responses, focusing on leadership, cultural representation, and addressing global challenges, strongly aligned with Miss Universe’s evolving emphasis on advocacy-driven queens.
Ultimately, Mexico’s representative was crowned Miss Universe 2025 to a chorus of thunderous applause. Her articulation, stage mastery, and deeply felt final statement resonated profoundly with the panel.
The victory cemented Mexico’s strong history in international pageantry and confirmed her status as one of the year’s most compelling delegates.
However, the outcome was not without contention. Numerous fans both at the venue and across social media platforms felt that other contestants, most notably Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand, had delivered performances equally worthy of the ultimate title. Both women had emerged as crowd favourites throughout the competition, consistently winning online polls and earning praise for their sheer authenticity and stage dominance.
One emotional Thai fan voiced his immediate frustration after the coronation.
“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.
A supporter from Côte d’Ivoire echoed the sentiment, drawing nods from the crowd.
“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.
Despite the swirling debates, the spectacle concluded with a celebration of diversity, womanhood, and global unity — the core principles of the Miss Universe Organisation. The evening also powerfully showcased Thailand’s remarkable capacity to host world-class international events, delivering stellar staging, stunning cultural showcases, and tightly executed production quality.
For Moyas, while the journey has concluded, her impact is undeniable. Her Top 30 finish not only elevates her status as a model but secures her place as one of Zimbabwe’s most promising beauty ambassadors on the global platform.
Pageant analysts have already noted that her impressive performance will undoubtedly inspire a new cohort of Zimbabwean hopefuls, further strengthening the nation’s rising reputation in global pageantry.
The organisation confirmed that next year’s edition will be hosted in Puerto Rico, marking an anticipated return to one of the Caribbean’s most iconic pageant destinations. The announcement has already sparked excitement, leaving fans curious to see which nations will build on their momentum — and which new faces will emerge to seize the global spotlight.
