Multiple contestants from the Miss Universe 2025 pageant walked out of an event in solidarity after an official of host nation Thailand publicly “humiliated” Miss Mexico.
The incident took place during a pre-pageant event when Thai pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil called Fátima Bosch of Mexico “dumb” for failing to post promotional content and ordered security to remove her.
In a video of the row doing the rounds on social media, Itsaragrisil, who serves as vice president for Asia and Oceania for the organising body Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) and heads the Thai host team, can be seen questioning Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot earlier that day.
Thirteen minutes into a livestream of the event, still visible on the Miss Universe Thailand’s Facebook page, Itsaragrisil is seen asking the participants to raise their hands if they had not fulfilled the promotional activities for the organisation.
He goes on to single out Bosch by name and when she stands up, he says: “I heard you did not agree to post everything about Thailand, about every article of our own activities. Is it true?”
“You don’t like to post everything because your director from Mexico ordered you to not pay any attention, to post about the host country? If you follow the orders from your national director, you are a dumb,” he said, adding that he is a “businessman” and has a “lot of money”.
Bosch then tries to respond, following which Itsaragrisil can be seen rebuking her, saying: “I didn’t hear you asking to talk. Please keep polite for me. I’m still talking – listen!”
Bosch protests at this point, saying he was not “respecting me as a woman”, shortly after which Itsaragrisil called for security, prompting audible gasps from the contestants.
Along with Bosch, other contestants including reigning title-holder Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, stood and walked out in protest.
As the women begin to leave, Itsaragrisil can be heard telling them, “If anyone wants to continue, sit down.”
In a video statement after the incident, Bosch said in Spanish, “I just want to let my country know, I’m not afraid to make my voice heard. It’s here stronger than ever. I have a purpose, I have things to say.
“We’re in the 21st century and I’m not a doll to be made up, styled and have my clothes changed. I came here to be a voice for all the women and all the girls who fight for causes and to tell my country that I’m completely committed to that.”
Speaking to reporters, Theilvig explained why she had walked out, saying, “This is about women’s rights. We respect everyone, but this is not how things should be handled. Insulting another contestant is a huge lack of respect and I would never do that. That’s why I’m putting on my coat and leaving.”
Responding to the incident, Miss Universe organisation’s president Raúl Rocha Cantú released a statement on Tuesday, saying he would not allow “the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated”.