Miss Universe/InstagramMANILA — OPM icon Louie Heredia never expected to be selected as a judge for Miss Universe.
Being a Miss Universe enthusiast and supporter for years, he planned to just be in his condo unit in Bangkok City to watch on television. "I never really planned this. I was just thinking maybe I would watch on TV because it’s nice and so clear."
Miss Universe is currently facing controversy and online disapproval over its final placing. Resigned judge Omar Harfouch also claimed in an Instagram post that the competition was "rigged," calling Mexico's Fatima Bosch, who snatched the Miss Universe crown, a "fake winner."
“I really can’t answer that because I’m only one of the eight," said Heredia.
He said that his main task was to judge the girls from seven as the lowest to 9.99 as the highest, but did not get to see other judges’ scores or averages.
“(We see) only our own scores. So when they announced the next top 30 or top 12, I could go… ‘I didn’t vote for her’ but maybe she was voted by the other judge.”
He then commended the Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo, who was placed as 3rd runner-up, for standing out to many netizens.
Filipinos voice disappointment over MU results, proud of Ahtisa Manalo
“She did so well! I gave her really high scores! Because she was blooming and she was really stunning. She did very well."
“I’m very proud of her,” he said.
Heredia noted that Bosch should be respected as the newly-crowned Miss Universe 2025. He said: "She’s Miss Universe and we have to respect her.”
He admitted that the experience was stressful due to the number of activities they did and the number of girls who shone. But he said he found the experience as a judge extremely memorable and surprising.
“But God had other plans for me. I think I’m the first Filipino judge to judge all the categories,” he added.
Heredia judged the closed-door, preliminary swimsuit, evening gown, and finals.
During the closed-door interviews, he said he even reminded the girls that there is more to winning the title.
“That crown will go to the head of who the winner is, but there’s a bigger crown, having new friends, having reunions together, and seeing each other’s countries. That’s the bigger crown for me.”
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