Just days after being crowned Miss Universe Africa & Oceania and placing among the Top 5 finalists at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant, Olivia Yace’s resignation has shocked the pageantry industry and the world at large.
On Monday, November 24, Yacé publicly renounced her title and severed ties with the Miss Universe Organization, citing the need to remain true to her core values of respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity.
In a heartfelt statement published on Instagram, Yacé explained her decision as rooted in her commitment to her personal values.
“As the representative of Côte d’Ivoire at the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Bangkok, I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity. To continue on this path, I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity—the strongest pillars that guide me,” Yacé, who finished as 4th runner-up, added.
She noted that, throughout her pageant journey, she believed in using her platform to uplift others, encourage young girls to “walk confidently into rooms where they believe they do not belong,” and embrace their identity with pride.
She called on Black, African, Caribbean, and Afro-descendant communities to continue entering spaces where they may not be expected—not just for recognition, but for real influence and dignity.
A Pageant Marred by Controversies
Olivia Yace’s resignation didn’t just happen. The 2025 Miss Universe edition was marred by a string of controversies, from alleged judging irregularities and a dramatic walkout by Miss Mexico to other contestants and judges stepping down.
Another beauty queen, Brigitta Schaback, has also resigned. Schaback, who represented Estonia at Miss Universe 2025, announced her resignation on November 23, 2025, just two days after the global pageant finale on November 21, where Miss Mexico was crowned winner. She said her commitment to women’s empowerment and equality would continue, but independently, without further association with Miss Universe Estonia.
Brigitta’s resignation came ahead of Olivia’s, marking a trend in 2025 where more than one participant felt compelled to publicly reject their pageant titles. Both resignations share a common theme: a conflict between personal values/ethics and what they perceived as expectations or demands from the pageant systems.
Will other beauty pageants follow suit? We just have to wait and see.