NEED TO KNOW
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Olivia Yace, who represented Côte d’Ivoire in the top five at Miss Universe 2025, has stepped down from her title as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania
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Yace cited her commitment to being a “role model” for the next generation as the reason she has decided to resign, per her announcement on Nov. 24
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Brigitta Schaback also announced she was stepping down from the title of Miss Universe Estonia days after she competed at Miss Universe 2025
Olivia Yace has announced her resignation from her role as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania days after she placed in the top five at Miss Universe 2025.
Yace represented Côte d’Ivoire at the international competition in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 21. However, after finishing as the fourth runner-up, the beauty queen took to Instagram to state “with a heart full of gratitude and profound respect” that she is relinquishing her title as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania.
“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. 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,” Yace wrote on Monday, Nov. 24. She also clarified that her resignation includes “any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee.”
“Throughout my journey as an ambassador and beauty queen, I have served with commitment, resilience, discipline, and determination,” she continued. “However, to fully reach my potential, I must remain firmly anchored in my values guiding principles that pave the way toward excellence.”
She recalled her “greatest wish,” which is to act as a role model for the next generation, namely, young girls. “I encourage them to push their limits, to walk confidently into rooms where they believe they do not belong, and to proudly embrace their identity,” wrote Yace, adding that her commitment to this goal is the reason she has decided to resign.
“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,” the pageant queen said. “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.”
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP/Getty
Olivia Yace and her fellow top five contestants at Miss Universe 2025.
She concluded by congratulating the winner of Miss Universe 2025, Fátima Bosch, and wishing “a swift recovery” to Miss Universe Jamaica Gabrielle Henry, who fell off the stage while competing in the preliminary evening gown round at Miss Universe.
“I am deeply grateful for the support I have received and for the unforgettable experiences that have shaped me. I will now continue my journey differently, with the same determination to uplift and inspire,” wrote Yace. “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.”
Neither Yace, the Miss Universe Organization nor the Miss Côte d’Ivoire organization immediately responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The Miss Côte d’Ivoire Committee (COMICI) posted a statement about Yace’s action on Facebook, expressing its “regrets to announce the withdrawal of its representative Olivia [Yace] … for personal convenience of her electoral mandates with Miss Universe obtained at the end of the … [Miss Universe] competition.”
The statement continued, “Consequently, COMICI officially informs the Miss Universe organization of the withdrawal of the Ivorian candidate from all titles and mandates issued by this organization.”
“Olivia [Yace] therefore relinquishes her title of Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, effective immediately,” the Facebook post concluded. “Miss Olivia [Yace], 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.”
RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA/Shutterstock
Constants during the Miss Universe 2025.
In similar pageantry news, Brigitta Schaback has stepped down from the title of Miss Universe Estonia days after representing the country at Miss Universe 2025.
The former titleholder, 28, announced the news with an Instagram post shared on Sunday, Nov. 23. “My values and work ethics do not align with those of the National Director, Natalie Korneitsik,” Schaback began.
“My commitment is to women’s empowerment and equality, and I will continue this work independently, without any further association with Miss Universe Estonia,” she continued. In her caption, the pageant contestant added her gratitude: “Thank you everyone for your kind words and support,” Schaback wrote.
Natalie Korneitsik did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment; however, the Miss Estonia organization clarifies to PEOPLE. “There was no personal conflict involved” in Schaback’s stepping down from the title.
The pageant organization adds, “The National Director made every effort to provide Brigitta Schaback with the opportunity to participate in the Miss Universe competition. Unfortunately, some of Mrs. Schaback’s recent public comments were inappropriate, harmful to others, not aligned with professional protocols, and contributed to public controversy.”
Miss Universe Estonia did not specify which of Schaback’s comments were determined to be problematic, and Schaback did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Mohan Raj/Getty
Brigitta Schaback during Miss Universe 2025 preliminaries on Nov. 19, 2025.
The national pageant also released an official statement regarding the matter on Monday, Nov. 24.
“All participants sign an Exclusive Management Agreement that outlines standards for professional conduct and communication. Unfortunately, some of Mrs. Schaback’s recent public comments were inappropriate, harmful to others and were not aligned with these professional protocols and contributed to public controversy,” read the statement, which was shared on the pageant’s official Instagram page.
The press release continued to note that the Miss Universe Organization “still permitted” Schaback to compete at the international competition. The national pageant iterated its appreciation for such an allowance, “as we put in substantial effort to support her participation at this level.”
The statement claimed that after the final round of Miss Universe 2025, the former Estonia titleholder “continued to act in ways that, in our assessment, did not align with the Agreement, including making unauthorized negative statements about the organization.” It also referred to “certain obligations toward sponsors” that were allegedly “not met to the standards required by the Agreement.”
In conclusion, the organization claimed that it “initiated the formal process to conclude Brigitta Schaback’s duties.” The statement concluded, “We will continue to place greater emphasis on a delegate’s professionalism, diplomacy, and communication skills.”
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The Miss Universe Organization has made global headlines in the past weeks leading up to the final competition. On Nov. 4, a pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil called out Mexico representative — and ultimate winner — Bosch for allegedly refusing to partake in a photo shoot meant for contestants to share on social media. Video of the confrontation, which also showed multiple Miss Universe contestants appearing to get up and leave the meeting, was livestreamed to Facebook.
Days before the competition on Nov. 21, musician Omar Harfouch publicly resigned from his role on the judging panel as he made bombshell allegations about internal misconduct. On his Instagram Stories, he claimed to have learned that an “impromptu jury” was allegedly formed to choose 30 finalists from the 136 countries meant to participate; the Miss Universe Organization denied his claims in their response.
The same day, another judge, pro soccer player Claude Makélélé, announced he was also withdrawing from his position as judge, citing personal reasons. And the president of the selection committee, Princess Camilla di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, also announced her resignation.
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