A bold statement from a former Miss Universe judge has sparked a conversation about transparency and fairness in beauty pageants. Natalie Glebova, who judged the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, has called for a return to the traditional practice of having an auditor present on stage with sealed results. She believes this step is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the competition.
Glebova, a Canadian beauty queen, shared her thoughts on social media, reminiscing about her own experience competing in Miss Universe in 2005, when she won the prestigious title. She highlighted the presence of an auditor as a key element in ensuring the credibility of the results.
"I recall the auditor's role vividly from my time competing. It added a layer of trust and transparency to the entire process," she said. "Having that sealed envelope on stage, presented by a professional auditor, was a powerful symbol of fairness."
But here's where it gets controversial: Glebova has stated that until this practice is reinstated, she doesn't plan on participating as a judge again. She wants to see a return to the old ways, believing it's essential for the pageant's reputation.
"I understand that pageants have evolved, but certain traditions should be upheld for the sake of integrity," she added. "The auditor's presence is a simple yet powerful way to ensure that the results are beyond reproach."
Glebova's personal pick for Miss Universe 2025 was Praveena Singh from Thailand. However, she emphasized the importance of individual opinions and the fact that no single judge can influence the outcome alone.
"As a judge, I cast my vote based on my own criteria and values. It's a subjective process, and that's what makes it so fascinating," she explained. "But ultimately, the final decision should be one that the majority of judges can stand behind."
The Miss Universe 2025 crown was ultimately awarded to Mexico's Fatima Bosch, while the Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo finished as third runner-up. Glebova's comments have certainly ignited a debate about the role of judges and the transparency of results in beauty pageants.
So, what do you think? Should pageants bring back the auditor on stage to enhance transparency? Or is this a tradition that can be left in the past? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
