What was billed as a dazzling night of beauty and empowerment turned into a full-blown spectacle — and not the good kind! The Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025 pageant, hosted at the glitzy Hippodrome in Harare, crumbled under the weight of technical hiccups, awkward blunders, and a crowning moment that’s now sparking outrage.
And right in the eye of the storm? None other than Mzansi screen queen Connie Ferguson, who jetted in as the night’s star-studded guest judge.
Connie Flies In, Chaos Breaks Out
The South African acting legend and former beauty queen was flown in VIP-style to grace the panel, expected to bring poise and prestige to the event. With a judging résumé that includes being part of the team that crowned Zozibini Tunzi Miss Universe, Connie’s presence was supposed to elevate the show to global standards.
But even her sparkle couldn’t polish this pageant trainwreck.
Lights, Camera… Confusion!
From the moment the event kicked off, it was one glitch after another. Delays dragged on, sound issues made it hard to follow what was happening, and a series of stage blunders left the audience gasping — not in awe, but in disbelief.
One of the most jaw-dropping moments? Host Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa mistakenly addressed Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume as “His Excellency.” Talk about wrong titles in the wrong place!
Add to that a crowded stage with not one, not two, but three presenters — Ruvheneko, Becky K, and Arthur Evans — stepping on each other’s lines and the night slowly spiraled from stylish to sloppy.
A Questionable Crown?
But nothing shocked the crowd more than the sudden, awkward crowning of Lyshanda Moyos as Miss Universe Zimbabwe — without a formal Top 5 announcement or explanation.
Even more eyebrow-raising? Moyos appeared to fumble her Q&A, delivering a response so shaky it left fans whispering in disbelief.
“She didn’t answer the question properly. There were girls who nailed it — strong, confident, clear — and they weren’t even acknowledged,” murmured one disappointed pageant fan.
Connie’s Class Amid the Chaos
Despite the drama, Connie Ferguson remained composed and classy. On stage, she spoke with heartfelt sincerity about how pageants had helped her rise from Botswana to South African stardom.
“Platforms like this, when handled right, can open doors for young women,” she said, drawing loud applause from the crowd — even as murmurs of discontent buzzed through the venue.
Rigged Vibes or Rough Night?
As social media lit up with hot takes, comparisons were quickly made to Zimbabwe’s political culture — with some joking that even the pageants aren’t immune to “selective results.”
“It felt rigged,” one fan tweeted. “Like the election, but with heels and hair extensions.”
Will Connie Break Her Silence?
With her name now associated with the night’s controversy, many are wondering if Connie Ferguson will distance herself from the drama or break her silence in the coming days.
One thing is crystal clear — Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025 didn’t just crown a winner; it crowned controversy. And as the glitter settles, the pageant world — and the country — is left with one burning question:
Was this a celebration of beauty, or a beautifully disguised disaster?
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606.