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NEED TO KNOW
Olivia Yacé was crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania at the 2025 pageant on Nov. 21
She was representing Côte d'Ivoire at the 74th pageant and placed in the top five
Just a few days after the pageant, Yacé announced that she was renouncing her Miss Universe Africa and Oceania title, while remaining Miss Côte d'Ivoire
Olivia Yacéplaced in the top five atMiss Universe 2025before she renounced her title.
The philanthropist had been representing Côte d'Ivoire at the international competition in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 21, when she was crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania. However, after receiving the crown and accepting the title, she resigned a few days later.
Yacé announced that she was relinquishing her title as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania viaInstagramon Nov. 24.
"With a heart full of gratitude and profound respect, I hereby announce my resignation from the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania as well as from any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee," she shared.
Yacé's decision came after Brigitta Schaback also resigned from her role as Miss Universe Estonia, saying her "values and work ethics do not align with those of the National Director, Natalie Korneitsik." Shortly afterward, the Miss Estonia organization told PEOPLE that it found some of Schaback's recent comments "inappropriate."
The 2025 Miss Universe pageantfaced several controversies, includingallegations that the results were riggedandthree judges stepping down from their postsjust days before the competition. The Miss Universe Organization has sincedenied the tampering rumors.
Here's everything to know about why Olivia Yacé resigned from Miss Universe and renounced her position as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania.
Yacé represented Côte d'Ivoire at Miss Universe
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Yacé was elected Miss Côte d'Ivoire in 2021 and went on to be crowned Miss World Africa and 2nd runner-up of Miss World 2022, per herwebsite. She represented Côte d'Ivoire at the 74th Miss Universe pageant on Nov. 21 in Thailand.
"This announcement marks a new chapter in Olivia's exceptional journey, as she prepares to once again represent the national colors on the world stage," Yacé'swebsitereads, while she added in a statement, "Miss Universe is not just a competition. It's a platform, a symbol, a mirror of the world. And I am honored to inhabit it with the Ivorian soul that has shaped me."
In addition to holding her various titles, Yacé also became an ambassador for tourism in Côte d'Ivoire, which she described as "a call to serve again, with even more humility, maturity and responsibility." She received her bachelor's degree in marketing at Widener University and her master's degree at Richmond American University London, per herLinkedIn.
She placed fourth runner-up and won Miss Universe Africa and Oceania at Miss Universe 2025
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Yacé was among the over 100 contestants who participated in the 74th Miss Universe pageant that took place in Thailand on Nov. 21. She was also among the 30 semifinalists who were chosen through a preliminary competition.
Yacé continued making it through the semifinal swimsuit segment, final 12 evening gown competition and final five question and answer round. However, she was cut ahead of the final question and answer segment and placed fourth runner-up.
Although Yacé did not win Miss Universe, she was crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, which is one of the four Continental Queen titles given to contestants. As a Continental Queen, she received an automatic entry to the semifinals and was slated to serve as a global ambassador alongside Miss Universe.
After becoming a Continental Queen, Yacé expressed her gratitude onInstagramand thanked her country for "all their love and support."
At the end of the competition,Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, was crowned the winner, while Praveenar Singh of Thailand was the first runner-up.
She renounced her title as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania but maintained her Miss Côte d'Ivoire title
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Just days after she was crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, Yacé announced that she was resigning. She shared the news in a lengthy Instagram statement on Nov. 24.
While Yacé clarified that she was resigning from "any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee," she said that she will remain Miss Côte d'Ivoire.
The Miss Côte d'Ivoire Committee (COMICI) later shared their ownFacebook statementand confirmed Yacé's "withdrawal" from the organization.
"Consequently, COMICI officially informs the Miss Universe organization of the withdrawal of the Ivorian candidate from all titles and mandates issued by this organization," they wrote. "Olivia therefore relinquishes her title of Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, effective immediately."
The post concluded, "Miss Olivia, Miss Universe Africa & Oceania 2025, will formally return her Africa & Oceania sash to the organization to ensure that no one is unaware of this and to attest to this joint decision."
Yacé wrote that she stepped down to "remain true to my values"
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In Yacé's resignation announcement, she explained that she was leaving for personal reasons and to ensure her values remained intact.
"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," she began in her statement. "But 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 expressed that her "greatest wish is to be a role model for the new generation" and to encourage women to "push their limits" and "walk confidently into rooms where they believe they do not belong."
"Stepping away from this diminished role of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania will allow me to dedicate myself fully to defending the values I hold dear," she continued. "I call upon Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities: continue entering spaces where you are not expected. Let us open the way for the brothers and sisters who will follow us. Never let anyone define who we are or limit our potential. Our presence matters, and our voices must be heard."
Yacé concluded her statement by writing how "deeply grateful" she is for the "support I have received and for the unforgettable experiences that have shaped me."
"Thank you to all those who have been part of this exceptional adventure. Let us continue to defend our values and strive for greatness together," she concluded.
The Miss Universe Organization owner later insinuated Yacé didn't win because of visa issues
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Shortly after Yacé publicly resigned from Miss Universe, the organization's owner, Raul Rocha,shared his opinion on why Yacé had not won the pageant.
In a livestream that has beenreposted by several pageantry social media pages, Rocha pointed out that "there are many things that are evaluated" by the selection committee — including visa restrictions. He claimed that citizens of Côte d'Ivoire require visas to enter 175 countries.
"She's going to be the Miss Universe who spent a whole year in an apartment because of the cost of the visa process with lawyers," Rocha said, as translated from Spanish. "Some of them require six months notice. The year's already gone, right?"
Read the original article onPeople
