The pageant world has zeroed in on a controversy that erupted at a Miss Universe pre-competition briefing involving pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil’s treatment of Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch.
A livestreamed video on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page from Tuesday captured Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil telling contestants that they were meant to “promote” the host country via social media. Itsaragrisil reportedly singled out Bosch for her alleged refusal to participate in a photo shoot that contestants were to share on their social media platforms.
Itsaragrisil claimed Bosch was not posting, following the direction of her home country’s pageant director, before referring to Miss Mexico as “dumb” or a “dummy,” as seen on the video, when she stood up to defend herself.
Following the tense confrontation, Itsaragrisil instructed security to remove Bosch from the pre-competition briefing. Several other contestants, however, stood up and began to walk out of the room in support of their fellow competitor.
In the two days since the viral moment, other former pageant contestants offered their support of Bosch, including Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt, who took to her Instagram account to release a statement.
“I stand in full solidarity with Fátima Bosch, Victoria Kjær Theilvig [Miss Universe 2024], and all of the incredible women who walked out yesterday in protest of the unacceptable treatment that occurred at the Miss Universe 2025 Orientation in Thailand,” Voigt began her statement, posted on Wednesday.
Voigt, who stepped away from her Miss USA 2023 title and duties in May 2024, said she understood “what it feels like when your voice is dismissed and your dignity is demeaned.”
“What occurred yesterday when Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berated and called Miss Universe Mexico, Fátima Bosch, ‘dumb,’ attempted to intimidate contestants with threats of security and exclusion from the pageant if they left the room, and forced a group of young women to choose: stay and be humiliated, or walk out and be punished — is profoundly wrong,” she said.
“To Nawat (and to anyone else who thinks this kind of behavior is acceptable): Don’t be sorry simply because you got caught,” Voigt said.
Did Bosch Release a Statement Regarding the Altercation?
In a video shared by the accounts @pageantry_com and @tgpc_official on Instagram, Bosch responded to the treatment she received. “Your director is not respectful,” she said in an interview captured in the video. “He called me dumb,” she said.
“I think that’s not fair because I am here. I do everything OK. I don’t mess with anyone. I just try to be kind,” she continued. “I think that the world needs to see this because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice.”
Bosch did not respond to WWD’s request for comment.
The Organizer of Miss Universe Apologized
The Miss Universe organization shared an official statement on Instagram on Tuesday.
“The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the host community, the Miss Grand International Organization (MGI), and all local partners to ensure the continued success of the 74th Miss Universe competition,” the statement began.
The statement also added that “A high-level delegation, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mario Búcaro, is traveling to Thailand to strengthen collaboration with the host country, MGI, and relevant authorities. This mission aims to coordinate efforts, ensure a secure and professional environment for all delegates and reaffirm MUO’s commitment to transparency, respect and unity.”
The Miss Universe pageant’s “scheduled events and activities will continue as planned, in full cooperation with the host country and MGI, reaffirming our shared goal of delivering an exceptional global celebration that reflects the values of diversity, empowerment, and inclusion that define the Miss Universe legacy.”
President of the pageant, Raúl Rocha, echoed the official Miss Universe response, saying, “I will not allow the values of respect and dignity towards women to be violated,” per USA Today.
Itsaragrisil also apologized to the delegates for his behavior, saying in part, “I want to take this opportunity to say something about something that’s happened. Because I am a human,” he said. “I think you must understand the pressure is a lot, I am a human sometimes. I cannot control. By the way, I have not intend to hurt anyone.”
He continued, “I am human. I didn’t want to do anything like that.” Itsaragrisil was dismissed from the pageant proceedings.
The Miss Universe 2025 will take place on Nov. 21 in Thailand.
