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Miss Universe Türkiye titleholder Ceren Arslan drew widespread attention this week after sharing videos and statements about problems she experienced during the Miss Universe 2025 preparations in Bangkok.
Her posts described a difficult competition process with limited support and included footage of a security guard blocking her from receiving a Turkish flag before entering the stage.
Ceren Arslan said she faced pressure during the competition camp and described the situation as “mobbing.”
She also said she won the public vote for the Best National Costume category with her traditional "kaftan" design, only to see the vote reopen without prior notice.
The change triggered a new wave of reactions across social media in Türkiye, and she again asked for strong public support.
Her posts showed that she attends the competition without a sponsor and handles her own hair and makeup. She noted that several countries sent full teams to assist their contestants and said she does not have similar resources.
The moment when the staff refused to give her a Turkish flag became one of the most discussed points of the week.
Arslan later drew a small flag on her hand to show national pride, telling her followers that she wanted Türkiye to be visible on stage even when she could not carry a flag. She said support from people she has never met helped her move through the challenges of the week.
Reminder: Last hours to vote before 8:00 p.m. deadline
A new message circulated on Thursday afternoon calling for votes in two key categories: Miss Congeniality and People’s Choice.
Supporters said both sections now appear as “Extended” due to a late technical update but noted that the steps remain the same.
They urged the public to complete the process before the 8:00 p.m. deadline and repeated earlier claims that Arslan has no sponsor or styling team during the camp.
Ceren Arslan became a central figure in Turkish media as Miss Universe week progressed.
Born in 1999, she grew up in Antalya and graduated from Hacettepe University. Reports describe her as fluent in English and French and as someone who entered the modeling world after winning the Photomodel category at the "Model of Türkiye" competition.
She works as a professional model and also follows translation and dance. Her family background is Circassian Turkish, and she earned the Miss Universe Türkiye crown in 2025, which gave her the right to represent the country in Thailand.
Ceren Arslan has also used her social media accounts to raise awareness about issues such as femicides and, most recently, the death of 20 Turkish soldiers in a military cargo plane crash. Her sensitivity toward social issues has strengthened the public support she receives at home.
She recently spoke about the conditions of the camp and said some countries send full teams to support their contestants. Turkish singer Demet Akalin also expressed support for her on social media and praised her efforts.
The Miss Universe final will take place on Nov. 21 in Bangkok.
Interest from Türkiye has increased after Arslan’s posts about the voting system and the flag incident.
She said she aims to represent Türkiye with pride and hopes for strong public participation in the final hours of voting.
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