Miss Universe Côte d’Ivoire Olivia Yacé has relinquished her continental title, a move confirmed by the Miss Côte d’Ivoire Committee (COMICI) in an official announcement released on November 24 in Bangkok.
The development comes just days after Yacé placed as fourth runner-up at the 74th Miss Universe pageant, held on November 21 in Thailand. Her placement had been widely debated online, with numerous pageant followers arguing she should have been declared the overall winner. Fatima Bosch of Mexico won the Miss Universe 2025 crown amid accusations of irregularities surrounding the results.
COMICI said Yacé’s resignation was linked to her responsibilities following the crowning. “The COMICI (Miss Côte d’Ivoire Committee), holder of the Miss Universe license, regrets to announce the withdrawal of its representative, Olivia Yacé, Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2021, due to personal reasons relating to her elected mandates with Miss Universe, obtained at the 74th edition of the Miss Universe International Competition held on November 21, 2025, at the Impact Arena in Bangkok.”
The committee added that her departure includes the forfeiture of all titles given by the Miss Universe Organization. “Consequently, COMICI officially informs the Miss Universe Organization of the withdrawal of the candidate from Côte d’Ivoire from any title and mandate issued by this organization.”
Yacé will also return the insignia associated with her crown. “Olivia Yacé therefore relinquishes her title of Miss Universe Africa & Oceania as of the date of this notice,” COMICI stated, noting that she will formally hand back her sash so the decision is “clear and duly acknowledged by all concerned.”
Her own message followed shortly after on Instagram, where she confirmed she was ending her affiliation with the Miss Universe Organization. “As the representative of Cote d’Ivoire at the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Bangkok, I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity. But to continue on this path, I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity [with] the strongest pillars that guide me.”
She also reflected on her years in the pageant world. “Throughout my journey as an ambassador and beauty queen, I have served with commitment, resilience, discipline, and determination. However, to fully reach my potential, I must firmly remain anchored in my values, guiding principles, that pave the way toward excellence.”
Yacé’s departure adds another layer to the already contentious Miss Universe 2025 edition, which has been marred by allegations of cheating and claims that the results were reversed during the final reading. Online discussions intensified after Bosch’s victory, especially amid circulating claims that her father is a business partner of Miss Universe Organization president Raul Rocha, who is also from Mexico.
Thailand’s Praveenar Singh finished as first runner-up, followed by Venezuela’s Stephany Abasali in second place, and the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo in third.
