Olivia Yace of Cote d’Ivoire joins Miss Cosmo 2025 jury panel

Cote d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yace will again grace another pageant, this time she will be on the other side of the stage, as the Ivorian beauty will join the jury panel of the 2025 Miss Cosmo pageant.

The Vietnam-based international pageant made the announcement on social media on Saturday evening, Dec. 13, but made no mention of her fourth runner-up finish in the controversial staging the Miss Universe 2025 pageant.

The Miss Cosmo pageant instead mentioned Yace’s second runner-up finish at the 2021 Miss World pageant, and the Miss World Africa title that she also received there.

“Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Olivia is not only a renowned international model but also a dedicated social advocate whose voice uplifts women across cultures,” Miss Cosmo said.

“[S]he has become an emblem of African pride, celebrated for her striking beauty, confident presence, and commanding runway performance,” continued the international pageant.

Yace’s fifth overall placement at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand in November shocked many spectators, many of whom expected that she would win after delivering impressive performances throughout the competition, especially in the final round of questioning.

The global title went to Mexican bet Fatima Bosch, instead, whose proclamation as the new queen was met by loud jeers from the audience inside the arena, and even on social media. Yace was subsequently proclaimed as Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, but she later returned the title.

In an interview, Miss Universe Organization (MUO) Pres. Raul Rocha explained that one of the reasons Yace lost was her “weak passport,” which would result in extra expenses for the organization had she won because of visa processing to be able to travel to different countries.

“Beyond the titles, Olivia represents a generation of women who walk with purpose. Her work in promoting independence, self-confidence, and the value of womanhood has inspired millions, making her one of the most influential beauty figures of today,” Miss Cosmo said.

The international pageant had earlier announced the return of 2021 Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu and former Miss Universe president Paula Shugart to the jury panel. They were in last year’s inaugural staging of the global tilt.

Reigning queen Ketut Permata Juliastrid from Indonesia will crown her successor at the end of the final competition that will be held in Ho ChI Minh City in Vietnam on Dec. 20.

Seasoned pageant queen Chelsea Fernandez is representing the Philippines in the competition. She had competed at the 2022 The Miss Globe pageant in Albania where she won the “Head-to-Head” Challenge and finished in the semifinals. /edv