Melissa Sapini — who proudly represented Haiti at the 2025 Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand — is speaking out for the first time following weeks of controversy, confusion, and concern surrounding this year’s global pageant. In an exclusive conversation, the 22-year-old contestant reflects on what she describes as a deeply troubling experience, marked by unexpected rules, health scares, and allegations of misconduct.
The international competition, which ultimately crowned Mexico’s Fátima Bosch on November 21, quickly became overshadowed by claims of poor conditions, questionable judging processes and the abrupt resignations of three selection committee members. Now, Sapini is offering her perspective on the events that unfolded during the three-week stay in Thailand — and why she believes the 2025 pageant was unlike anything she has experienced in the world of pageantry.
A Dream Turned Upside Down
Sapini, a former Miss Massachusetts USA, says that representing Haiti on the Miss Universe stage was the culmination of a lifelong dream. But shortly after arriving in Thailand, she felt something was “off.”
“Every single day, something strange happened,” she recalls. “Contestants were whispering to each other, trying to make sense of what we were seeing. The red flags started almost immediately.”
The first major controversy that caught global attention was a tense confrontation between pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil and eventual winner Fátima Bosch. The incident — streamed live — showed Bosch walking out, followed by several contestants, including Sapini. She remembers sitting in silence as Itsaragrisil allegedly threatened to remove participants from the competition for not complying with certain instructions.
“We were shocked. We hadn’t even met the Miss Universe Organization leadership yet, and suddenly someone was telling us we could be kicked out of the competition,” Sapini says.
Although owner Raul Rocha later announced sanctions against Itsaragrisil, Sapini claims contestants continued seeing him regularly at events.
Health Concerns and Hospitalizations Among Contestants
What worried Sapini most, however, was how many contestants began falling ill during the pageant’s preparations.
“So many girls were hospitalized. It felt like every day someone else was getting sick,” she explains.
Contestants shared messages reporting food poisoning, flu-like symptoms and exhaustion. Sapini says on-site medical staff were available, but preventive measures — particularly regarding food — were lacking.
According to Sapini, contestants were repeatedly served boxed lunches that many believed contributed to widespread sickness. She claims no changes were made despite clear concerns.
Meanwhile, representatives for Miss Grand International (MGI), which co-hosted the event, stated that they followed strict food safety standards and that some contestants did not submit dietary restrictions in advance.
Though Sapini eventually became sick herself, she avoided medical treatment because she feared missing rehearsals — something she felt could affect her performance and final score.
“You’re at a competition. Every moment matters,” she explains.
Judging Controversies: “Did Our Efforts Even Count?”
Just days before the final show, another shock hit the contestants: three judges resigned from the selection committee in rapid succession.
Musician Omar Harfouch was the first to step down, publicly claiming that an “impromptu jury” had preselected the Top 30 before the preliminary round. Although the Miss Universe Organization denied the accusations, two more committee members — soccer star Claude Makélélé and Princess Camilla di Borbone — also resigned.
Sapini remembers feeling heartbroken and confused.
“I dedicated my life to this. I’ve looked up to Miss Universe since I was 16,” she says. “To hear all this right before the pageant… it made everything feel pointless.”
Some contestants even discussed leaving Thailand entirely, unsure whether the competition would continue or whether their efforts mattered.
The Toll on Contestants: Sacrifice, Stress, and Uncertainty
Contestants from around the world — many of whom took leave from school, jobs, or family obligations — spent a month preparing for Miss Universe. Sapini says she felt a deep sense of responsibility to represent Haiti and honor the sacrifices she made to compete.
She recalls a conversation with Miss Bonaire, a mother of four who had been away from her family for weeks.
“Hearing her story made everything sink in,” Sapini says. “We all sacrificed so much. And yet, many of us felt the process wasn’t fair.”
Sapini believes that future contestants deserve transparency, safety and respect.
“You’re shaping our futures,” she says, addressing pageant leadership. “If this happened to us, what will happen next year? What will happen to the girls who dream of being here?”
Looking Ahead: Will She Return to Pageantry?
Before Miss Universe, Sapini enjoyed a strong career in the pageant world, including a standout performance at Miss USA. But her time in Bangkok has left her uncertain about returning to competition.
“I still love what pageantry can represent — empowerment, leadership, growth,” she says. “But this experience changed the way I see the industry.”
For now, Sapini is focusing on her education and taking time to recover from the emotional and physical strain of the competition.
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