Did Olivia Yace of Cote d’Ivoire Lose Because of Passport Issues?
Miss Universe Organization (MUO) president Raul Rocha is once again in the spotlight after making controversial remarks about one of this year’s most admired candidates, Olivia Yace of Cote d’Ivoire.
In a live video that quickly spread through pageant pages online, Rocha was asked why Yace did not win the Miss Universe crown despite her strong performance in the competition held in Thailand.
Rocha, speaking in Spanish during the livestream, claimed that Yace had a “weak passport,” meaning she would have difficulty traveling because her country requires visas for many destinations. He pointed out that Cote d’Ivoire’s passport needs a visa for around 175 countries and suggested this would limit Yace’s ability to perform her duties as Miss Universe. He even implied that she might spend most of her reign inside her apartment due to travel restrictions.
Yace, who finished as fourth runner-up in the 74th Miss Universe pageant, has not released any public statement. She was initially given the Miss Universe Africa and Oceania title but later chose to give it up. Meanwhile, Mexico’s Fatima Bosch won the crown, although her victory has faced criticism and accusations of a manipulated result—claims that Rocha has firmly denied.
As Rocha’s video continued to circulate, he received strong backlash. Many pageant fans described his comments as unfair and discriminatory, saying that a candidate’s passport should not determine who deserves the title. Critics argued that his explanation reduced a contestant’s value to her passport instead of her talent, intelligence, and performance on stage.
Ophely Mezino of Guadeloupe defended Yace publicly through her social media account. She said Rocha’s remarks showed a lack of respect not only for Yace but for all contestants and supporters of the Miss Universe pageant. She also questioned whether Rocha was simply trying to find an excuse to justify choosing a less deserving winner. Mezino added that Yace actually has an American passport, showing her frustration and saying she strongly dislikes injustice.
Related Post: Miss Universe 2025 Host Steve Byrne Thought Côte d’Ivoire Was Going to Win