Global News Podcast The Global Story: The international drama of Miss Universe
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Nov 30, 2025 
William Lee Adams, a BBC journalist and pop-culture correspondent, dives into the whirlwind of controversies surrounding Miss Universe 2025. From stage mishaps and contestant walkouts to judge resignations and vote rigging allegations, the drama is palpable. He discusses the pageant's waning popularity, its cultural significance, and how social media influences public perception. Adams also explores the diverse backgrounds of contestants and makes a case for the relevance of pageantry in today's world, particularly for marginalized voices.
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Pageants As A Window To The World
- William Lee Adams grew up watching Miss Universe as a gateway to see people of Asian descent represented on a global stage.
- He says the pageant offered aspirational images that made him proud of his community.
Peak Popularity Linked To TV Era
- Miss Universe peaked in global popularity from the late 1990s to about 2015 during limited entertainment options and terrestrial TV dominance.
- The event's shared, real-time viewing across borders made it a rare global cultural moment.
Two Competing Visions For The Pageant
- Two very different male owners shaped competing visions for Miss Universe: Raul Rocha Cantu favors traditional franchising and sponsorships while Nawat pushes social-media-driven sales.
- Their clash produced organisational friction that drove much of the 2025 drama.