Olivia Yacé, the widely admired Miss Universe 2025 finalist from Côte d’Ivoire, has voluntarily renounced her newly awarded title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, saying the crown conflicts with her core values and long-standing principles.
The 27-year-old Ivorian powerhouse—who finished in the global top five—made the announcement just days after the pageant wrapped in Bangkok. In a candid message to her 1 million–plus followers, Yacé said the decision was difficult but necessary.
“I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity—the strongest pillars that guide me,” she wrote on Instagram. “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.”
The Miss Universe Organization has yet to comment.
A Rising Star Who Refused to Compromise
Yacé’s exit is notable not because she lost a title—but because she willingly stepped away from one. Many in the global pageant community saw her as a breakout star of the 2025 competition, placing just behind contestants from the Philippines, Venezuela, Thailand, and winner Fátima Bosch of Mexico.
Insiders say her strong showing made her a favorite for expanded continental duties. But Yacé made clear that prestige was never her highest goal.
“To fully reach my potential,” she said, “I must remain firmly anchored in my values.”
Her withdrawal reads as both a personal statement and a broader critique of an industry struggling with issues of fairness, transparency, and representation.
A Message to Young Black and Afro-Descendant Women
Yacé used her resignation not just to explain her departure but to send a message—one rooted in empowerment and resistance to tokenism.
She urged Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities to “enter spaces where you are not expected” and to reject any boxes imposed on them.
“Never let anyone define who we are or limit our potential,” she wrote. “Our presence matters, and our voices must be heard.”
Her appeal echoed her onstage competition remarks in Bangkok, where she said her greatest wish was to be a role model for young women navigating systems that often overlook them.
Growing Discontent Among Contestants
Yacé is not the only contestant who has distanced herself from the Miss Universe brand after the 2025 competition. Estonia’s Brigitta Schaback also resigned her national title, saying her values conflicted with those of her national director.
The Miss Estonia organization pushed back, accusing Schaback of making “inappropriate” public comments. She has not responded to requests for comment.
Taken together, the resignations reflect a pattern—contestants willing to challenge the pageant world’s internal politics rather than accept roles they no longer believe in.
A Crown Returned, A Principle Upheld
For many supporters across Africa and the diaspora, Yacé’s decision is already being framed as an act of integrity. Her stance signals that representation without respect is not enough—and that visibility should not come with strings attached.
Her resignation from Miss Universe Africa and Oceania may have cost her a title, but it has only strengthened her standing among those who see beauty pageants not just as competitions, but as cultural battlegrounds.
If Olivia Yacé wanted her voice to be heard, she succeeded. And the echo of her message is likely to outlast any crown.
