Fatima Bosch on Friday claimed the 74th Miss Universe crown in Bangkok, outshining more than 100 contestants on a night heavy with emotion and relief. Bosch was crowned by last year's Miss Universe Victoria Theilvig from Denmark.

The Mexican contestant stood centre stage as the arena erupted, a reaction shaped as much by her win as by the drama that preceded it.

Her victory followed a bruising public episode that had thrown the pageant into turmoil. During a live-streamed sash ceremony earlier this month, Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil confronted Bosch over her absence from a promotional shoot, demanding she defend herself before the room.

The exchange spiralled on camera, with Itsaragrisil calling her a 'dummy', a remark that sparked disbelief among contestants and viewers.

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