Miss Universe 2025 finalist Olivia Yacé is sticking to her principles.
That's why, days after the pageant's fourth runner-up was declared Miss Universe Africa and Oceania on Nov. 21, she renounced the title.
"As the representative of Côte d'Ivoire at the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Bangkok, I witnessed firsthand that I was capable of accomplishing great things despite adversity," Olivia wrote on her Instagram on Nov. 21. "But to continue on this path, I must remain true to my values: respect, dignity, excellence, and equal opportunity the strongest pillars that guide me."
The 27-year-old added, "With a heart full of gratitude and profound respect, 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."
E! News has reached out to the Miss Universe Organization for comment and has not heard back.
Olivia—who placed fifth in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant after the Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo, Venezuela's Stephany Abasali, Thailand's Praveenar Sing and winner Fátima Bosch from Mexico—said that throughout her journey as an ambassador and beauty queen, she has served with commitment and determination.
"However, to fully reach my potential," she continued, "I must remain firmly anchored in my values guiding principles that pave the way toward excellence."
Olivia went on to reference her onstage comments that her greatest wish is to be a role model for the younger generation.
"I encourage them to push their limits, to walk confidently into rooms where they believe they do not belong, and to proudly embrace their identity. It is this commitment to being a positive influence that guides my decision today," she said. "Stepping away from this diminished role of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania will allow me to dedicate myself fully to defending the values I hold dear."
"I call upon Black, African, Caribbean, American, and Afro-descendant communities: continue entering spaces where you are not expected," Olivia continued. "Let us open the way for the brothers and sisters who will follow us. Never let anyone define who we are or limit our potential. Our presence matters, and our voices must be heard."
Olivia is not the only contestant to distance herself from the international competition after participating in it. Brigitta Schaback renounced her title of Miss Universe Estonia days after taking part in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, noting on social media that her "values and work ethics do not align with those of the national director, Natalie Korneitsik."
The Miss Estonia organization told People that the National Director had "made every effort to provide Brigitta Schaback with the opportunity to participate in the Miss Universe competition" and accused the contestant of making recent public comments that "were inappropriate, harmful to others, not aligned with professional protocols, and contributed to public controversy."
Brigitta did not respond to People's request for comment.
Read on for more controversial issues that have rocked the beauty pageant world in recent years...
Sarah Rose Summers
Miss USA 2018 apologized to Miss Cambodia Rern Sinat and Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie after controversial comments surfaced on Instagram. "I said something that I now realize can be perceived as not respectful, and I apologize," she later explained.
Steve Harvey
The daytime talk show host announced the wrong winner during the 2015 Miss Universe pageant telecast. After mistakenly naming Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo as the winner, he quickly took the stage again to reveal he had made an embarrassing mistake and misread the ballot card. The real winner was actually Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurzbach.
Brandy Weaver-Gates
The former Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International was arrested for faking her cancer diagnosis.
J Balvin
The Colombian singer cancelled his upcoming performance at the 2015 Miss USA pageant after hearing Donald Trump's controversial comments on Mexican immigrants.
Emily Kachote
The reigning Miss Zimbabwe was stripped of her title after nude photos of her surfaced on an app in 2015.
Amanda Longacre
Miss Delaware Amanda Longacre was stripped of her crown for being too old at the tender age of 24. During an emotional interview with Today, she pleaded, "It's not fair!"
Nia Sanchez
Miss Nevada USA went on to win the title of of 2014's Miss USA. Almost immediately after getting her crown, Nia was accused of faking residency in Las Vegas in order to compete in the state of Nevada. She firmly denied this, saying there was "no truth" to this report.
Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut
The 22-year-old stepped down after receiving criticism over political remarks she made on Facebook before the contest.
Olivia Culpo
Miss Universe 2012 was accused of violating India's Heritage Act after allegedly doing a little commercial modeling without permission in front of the Taj Mahal.
Melissa King
Miss Delaware Teen USA gave up her crown after a video surfaced of a woman alleged to be her, showing the mystery lady engaged in sexual acts with a male partner. King, however, vehemently stated that it is "absolutely not" her in the video.
Sheena Monnin
Miss Pennsylvania resigned from her position, saying the inclusion of transgender contestants "goes against every moral fiber of my being" and accusing the pageant of being rigged. Trump subsequently sued the brunette beauty for defamation, and the result was anything but pretty for Monnin: A judge ordered her to pay Trump $5 million in damages.
Jenna Talackova
Times are a changing, that's for sure! After transgender Miss Canada hopeful Talackova was DQ'd from her country's pageant, Miss Universe officials changed the rules for the 2013 pageant and are now allowing transgender women to compete for the crown.
Rima Fakih
Oops! The 26-year-old beauty queen, who became the first Arab-American Miss USA two years ago, pleaded no contest in April 2012 to a DUI charge after she was arrested for drunken driving in Michigan late last year.
Catalina Robayo
Miss Colombia is missing her panties! The 2011 Miss Universe contestant raised eyebrows and got a talking to when it became, um, evident that she wasn't wearing undergarments at some events.
Toddlers & Tiaras Hooker Getup
The show known for featuring tiny tots dressed up as beauty queens went a little too far for the Parents Television Council when it featured a three-year-old dressed up as Julia Roberts' hooker character from Pretty Woman.
Carrie Prejean
During the 2009 Miss USA pageant, Miss California's response to a question about gay marriage not only sparked a public debate and media firestorm, but it also ensured tons of free publicity for the pageant, Prejean and, most important, Donald Trump. The pageant honcho famously allowed her stay on before firing her for violating her contract.
Vanessa Williams
The first black Miss America was stripped of the title after racy photos of her were published in Penthouse. But the disgraced beauty queen remade herself into a successful singer and actress, achieving a level of fame most former pageant winners can only dream of.
Katie Rees
Stripped of her Miss Nevada title over her own spicy photo scandal, Rees has since been outspoken about what she claims was a double standard that cost her the crown—while others in similar situations, such as Prejean, retained theirs.
Christina Silva
Hours after being declared Miss California, Silva was stripped of her sash due to what was called "an accounting error." She sued, claiming a racial bias in her ouster, but later dropped the suit.
Donald Trump & Tara Conner
Trump also came to the aid of this Miss USA, who copped to drinking, drug use and other conduct unbecoming before agreeing to rehab and keeping her crown.