During a pre-pageant event for Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand, pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly insulted Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch by calling her “dummy,” prompting a mass walkout by contestants and drawing swift condemnation from the Miss Universe organization.
The incident occurred on November 3 during a livestreamed event hosted by Miss Universe Thailand on Facebook. Itsaragrisil, who serves as vice president for Asia and Oceania, questioned contestants about their promotional activities and singled out Bosch for allegedly failing to post content. He accused her of following orders from her Mexican director not to promote Thailand, leading to a heated exchange that was broadcast to viewers worldwide.
In the video, Itsaragrisil can be seen demanding answers from Bosch and interrupting her when she tried to respond. He called her “dumb” for supposedly obeying her director’s instructions and boasted about his wealth and business acumen. When Bosch protested, stating he was not respecting her as a woman, Itsaragrisil called for security, causing audible gasps among the attendees and escalating the tension.
The confrontation quickly spiraled, with Bosch and several other contestants standing up and leaving the room in protest. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Theilvig of Denmark was among those who walked out, demonstrating solidarity with Bosch. Their exit, captured on the livestream, showed a unified stance against the disrespectful behavior and highlighted the collective outrage over the treatment.
After the incident, Bosch addressed the media in Spanish, emphasizing her commitment to being a voice for women and girls. She stated that she is not a doll to be manipulated and is proud to represent her country with strength and class. Her response underscored the empowerment message that pageants aim to promote, resonating with advocates for gender equality.
Theilvig explained her decision to walk out, citing women’s rights and the importance of respect. She condemned the insult as a serious breach of conduct and expressed support for all contestants. Her actions highlighted the global nature of the pageant and the shared values among participants, reinforcing the need for dignity in such competitions.
In response, Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú issued a strong statement condemning Itsaragrisil’s actions and restricting his involvement in the pageant. The organization affirmed its commitment to respect, dignity, and empowerment, distancing itself from the incident and supporting Bosch. Itsaragrisil later apologized, but the damage had already sparked widespread criticism and calls for accountability.
The fallout from this event has ignited discussions about professionalism and treatment in beauty pageants. With the main event scheduled for November 21, organizers are working to ensure a respectful environment, while contestants continue to advocate for their rights and voices to be heard, potentially influencing future pageant protocols.