Miss Universe is making headlines once again; only this time, it’s due to a public dispute that took place between Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch and Miss Universe Thailand National Director Nawat Itsaragrisil at a pre-pageant ceremony held on November 3.
In a now viral livestream of the event, which is still available on Miss Universe Thailand’s Facebook page, Itsaragrisil can be seen calling Bosch to stand up before accusing her of failing to fulfill an obligation to promote the organization. “Mexico, where are you?” Itsaragrisil said. “I heard you [did] not agree to post everything about Thailand, about every article of our own activities. Is it true?”
Bosch admitted that she had misunderstood what was “obligated” of her. This led Itsaragrisil to get even more heated, accusing Bosch of only listening to her director from Mexico. “If you follow the orders from your national director, you are a dumb head,” said Itsaragrisil. He then berated Bosch for standing up and talking, to which Bosch replied by saying that she has a “voice” and that she was not being respected as a woman. In response, Itsaragrisil called security on Bosch, which resulted in audible gasps from the other contestants in the room.
In the video, several candidates appear to stand up in support of Bosch, with several choosing to walk out of the room with the contestant. One of the women to leave was reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark. Itsaragrisil attempted to deter the women from walking out, saying, “If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down. If you step out, the rest of the girls continue.”
Voices Heard
Bosch, in turn, has chosen to be vocal about what happened between her and Itsaragrisil. “I just want to let my country know, I’m not afraid to make my voice heard,” Bosch said in Spanish in an interview posted on content creator Miss Ardor’s Instagram. “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.”
Other contestants have also shown support for Bosch, condemning how Itsaragrisil treated her during the ceremony. “This is about women’s rights,” Theilvig told the BBC. “This is not how things should be handled. To trash another girl is beyond disrespectful… That’s why I’m taking my coat and I’m walking out.”
Since then, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has released an official video responding to the event and admonishing Itsaragrisil for his behavior. “I will not allow the values of respect and dignity toward women to be violated,” MUO President Raul Rocha said in the video. “Unfortunately, Nawat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host.” Rocha also stated that the organization has authorized legal and corporate measures in response to Itsaragrisil’s outburst and has limited Itsaragrisil’s participation in the remaining events of the pageant “as much as possible or eliminating it entirely.”
Deeper Drama
During the welcoming ceremony for Miss Universe 2025, Itsaragrisil issued an apology for his actions and cited “a lot of pressure” for being the reason why he spoke out against Bosch. “I think you must understand that the pressure is a lot. I am a human. Sometimes, I cannot control,” said Itsaragrisil. “By the way, I do not intend to harm anyone because I respect all of you…I have to say, I am so sorry it’s happened.”
In a separate press conference, Itsaragrisil also emphasized that he had not called Bosch a “dumbhead,” but had instead meant to say “damage.”
This is not the first time that Itsaragrisil and his organization, Miss Universe Thailand (MUT), have clashed with MUO. The Thai organization recently organized an event titled “Special Dinner and Talk Show,” where fans can vote on their preferred contestants to join the event. MUO released an official statement on November 2, making it clear that the event had not been authorized and that it had no bearing on the real pageant.
MUT also took aim at MUO for promoting a sponsor associated with online casinos, which are illegal in Thailand. MUT released an official statement emphasizing that it has no involvement with such sponsors or activities.
The Miss Universe pageant will take place on November 21 in Thailand.
