World NewsWhy Olivia Yacé’s Resignation Reshapes Miss Universe 2025
And Redefines African Soft Power
Written by By Audrey Charmelle, Experience & Strategy Lead, Sheek Network
Credit: Mohan Raj / Getty Images
Miss Universe has never been a ritual in my calendar. But my work — centred on how women, and especially Black women, navigate global stages — often leads me to observe the very arenas that shape perceptions of beauty, leadership, and cultural influence.
On Friday, November 21, 2025, Olivia Yacé represented Côte d’Ivoire before a global audience in Bangkok. On Monday, November 24, she published a clear, composed, and historic statement: she was resigning from the title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania.
Within hours, her message had travelled across continents. And in doing so, it reframed the legacy of Miss Universe 2025.
First & Third Photos: @d.o.u.m.s.s, @seiboutraorephotography | Second Image- DA & Sketch: @calvin_gueyes; Designer: @tu_four; Photography: @tutim.pic | As seen on Instagram: @olivia.yace
A Difficult Edition, A Steady Trajectory
The 2025 edition unfolded under unusual turbulence — resignations, internal disputes, and a visible sense of instability amplified online. Amid this disarray, Olivia Yacé remained a singular point of coherence.
With a degree in marketing from the United States, training in luxury management in London, the title of Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2021, the distinction of Miss World Africa, and a second runner-up title at Miss World, she stepped onto the Bangkok stage with intention.
Structured, articulate, multilingual — she moved with the precision of a woman who understood every dimension of the international gaze. Her trajectory was not accidental; it was the product of strategy, discipline, and cultural intelligence.
This foundation shaped everything that followed.
A Stage Presence That Crossed Borders
During the final, her presence sparked something rare. Footage captured from inside the arena shows spectators from Asia, Europe, and Latin America rising to their feet, waving Ivorian flags, recording videos, and cheering with unrestrained enthusiasm.
It was organic. Immediate. Borderless.
Her storytelling, her aura, and her composure resonated far beyond nationality. Her messages — on self-love, confidence, identity, and feminine audacity — circulated widely, amplified by online communities who saw in her a symbol of modern African excellence.
Her performance did more than impress; it shifted the emotional temperature of the room.
A Result That Raised Global Questions
When Miss Mexico was announced as the winner, the energy in the arena shifted. Silence. Confusion. A wave of reactions online that crossed languages, cultures, and time zones.
Comment sections from multiple regions reflected a shared sentiment: public perception diverged sharply from the official ranking.
This moment underscored a broader truth: today’s global audiences evaluate impact through narrative, cultural resonance, and authenticity — not just competition mechanics.
The November 24 Statement: A Defining Position
Her resignation statement was direct, poised, and intentional:
“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.”
She then addressed the younger generation:
“My greatest wish is to be a role model for the new generation, especially young girls. I encourage them to push their limits and embrace their identity with pride.”
And finally, she turned to the global Black and African diaspora:
“I call upon Black, African, Caribbean, American and Afro-descendant communities. Keep stepping into the spaces where you are not expected.”
These words did more than explain her decision — they articulated a vision rooted in representation, dignity, and cross-continental leadership.
A Moment Amplified Across Continents
In the hours after her announcement, creators and media outlets from Thailand, Ghana, the Philippines, Mexico, France, and the United States shared the news.
The speed of this amplification reflected the convergence of several forces:
her commanding performance on November 21
the global emotional response it generated
the debate surrounding the final results
the elegance and clarity of her November 24 statement
and her unique cultural positioning as a modern African icon
This was not a local story. It was a global cultural moment.
A Decision Anchored in Intention
Her statement included a line that defines the depth of her position:
“Stepping away from this title will allow me to dedicate myself fully to the values I hold dear.”
This aligns perfectly with the posture she has maintained for years: discipline, coherence, dignity, and a commitment to opening pathways for others.
Her closing words, now a signature of her public identity —
“IT’S TIME FOR AFRICA.”
— carry new weight. They signal a shift not only for her personal trajectory but for the broader narrative of African soft power.
What Miss Universe 2025 Ultimately Reveals
The sequence unfolding between November 21 and 24 offers a powerful insight into contemporary cultural influence: Legitimacy is no longer confined to institutions.
A compelling performance, a global audience response, and a clear public stance can elevate a figure beyond official titles.
Olivia Yacé’s journey illustrates a modern form of leadership defined by coherence, emotional intelligence, and international resonance. Her resignation is not a withdrawal — it is an assertion. A declaration of agency. A contribution to the evolving conversation about representation, recognition, and the expanding role of African women on the world stage.
This moment stretches far beyond Miss Universe. It marks a shift in the cultural landscape — one that affirms a truth long in the making:
African excellence is no longer emerging. It is leading.
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Frédérique Kragbé Leininger stands at the intersection — gracefully merging art, media, and cultural engagement into a living, breathing form of storytelling. As the editor of ELLE Côte d’Ivoire and founder of Les Murmures GANiques, she embodies what it means to create with intention, resilience, and soul.
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