Natalie Glebova Speaks: Her Experience Judging Miss Universe 2025 | TPN#98

In this exclusive interview, Natalie Glebova joins The Pageant Nerd for her first in-depth conversation since serving as a judge at Miss Universe 2025, held in Bangkok in November. Natalie won Miss Universe in 2005 in the very same venue where, twenty years later, she returned as a judge. Having lived in Thailand for two decades, her perspective spans contestant, titleholder, mentor, and judge — a continuity few in pageantry can claim. This is not a reaction piece, and it is not an allegation video. Natalie is clear that she does not claim concrete proof of wrongdoing. What she does share is her personal experience as a judge at Miss Universe 2025, the questions that experience raised for her, and why she ultimately felt compelled to speak publicly about integrity, transparency, and trust in the judging process. In this conversation, Natalie discusses: • Being asked to judge Miss Universe 2025 • The judging process and lack of clear criteria • The emotional weight of final night • Her post-pageant conversations with other judges • Why she spoke out publicly — and then stepped back • What Miss Universe represents to those who carry the title for life • How pageantry can evolve without losing its core values This interview isn’t about one result. It’s about responsibility, legacy, and what it means to uphold the integrity of a global institution. Viewers are encouraged to watch the conversation in full and engage respectfully in the comments. For more long-form pageant interviews and analysis, please like the video and subscribe to the channel. #NatalieGlebova #MissUniverse #MissUniverse2025 0:00 Intro 0:56 Natalie’s highlights since 2005 + “first immigrant to win” legacy 4:44 Thailand’s significance and reaction to hosting MU 2025 7:23 Last-minute judging call-up, prep issues + lack of support 10:12 Judges’ meeting: unclear criteria + integrity concerns 20:05 How MU 2025 scoring worked 21:23 Results night: surprises → Top 30/12 and why Top 5 shocked her 28:15 Final two + Mexico crowned: the aftermath 30:51 Pageantry heartbreak, stepping away and coming back 41:06 Future of pageantry: entertainment vs empowerment + nonprofit idea 43:49 Miss Universe 2005 reflections and opportunities 51:40 Writing books and sharing her message 55:55 What’s next for Natalie? Follow Natalie Glebova on Instagram:   / natalieglebova   Purchase one (or more!) of Natalie’s books: https://www.natalieglebova.com/books TEDxThonglor Women in Bangkok on 26 April 2026: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/62030 I went from Awkward Teenager to Miss Universe. My Story, Natalie Glebova (animated video):    • I went from Awkward Teenager to Miss Unive...