Miss Universe 2025: Olivia Yacé, 4th runner-up and the only Black woman in the Top 5
For the 74th edition of Miss Universe, held on the night of November 20–21, 2025, Olivia Yacé once again proudly represented Côte d’Ivoire. After a competition that brought together more than 120 contestants from around the world, the Ivorian representative rose to the rank of 4th runner-up, becoming the only Black woman in the prestigious Top 5.
Olivia Yacé
From the first selections, Olivia Yacé stood out for her poise, eloquence and the relevance of her social project. The judges kept her in the Top 30, then in the highly coveted Top 12 — a performance praised by observers and by the thousands of viewers who followed the event live.
For the presentation of her social project, Olivia Yacé chose to highlight the empowerment of African women. She defended a message focused on self-acceptance, respect for one’s natural skin tone and hair, and the affirmation of African identity in a culturally diverse and competitive world. Her speech, marked by elegance and conviction, resonated with both the judges and the public.
The evening gown segment was one of the highlights of the night. Olivia Yacé appeared in a sumptuous shimmering beige-silver dress, showcasing her silhouette and natural presence. Her walk, both graceful and assured, drew a genuine ovation, confirming her ability to captivate major international stages.
In the Top 5, an inspiring answer
Called into the Top 5 alongside the representatives of Thailand, Mexico, the Philippines and Venezuela, Olivia Yacé confirmed her maturity during the final question on emotional capacity. With a short, structured and inspiring answer, she encouraged women to develop self-confidence and to positively impact those around them through social initiatives she intends to promote via a future foundation.
At the end of deliberations, the judges proclaimed Miss Mexico Miss Universe 2025, followed by Venezuela as 2nd runner-up, the Philippines as 3rd runner-up, and Olivia Yacé as 4th runner-up. The only Black woman in the final four, she made history through her journey, elegance and charisma.
A ceremony watched into the early morning
Beginning around 11:30 PM and concluding at about 4:00 AM GMT, the ceremony was followed live by more than 18,000 viewers on the digital platforms of the Ivorian channel broadcasting the event. With this exceptional performance, Olivia Yacé strengthens her status as an icon of African beauty and as an ambassador of self-confidence, inscribing her name among the brightest achievements of Côte d’Ivoire at Miss Universe.