The Miss Universe 2025 beauty pageant has been thrown into crisis after several contestants staged a dramatic walkout during a pre-event ceremony in Thailand. The protest came after Nawat Itsaragrisil, the National Director of Miss Universe Thailand, allegedly insulted Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, calling her “dumb” in front of other contestants.
The incident has caused global outrage, with contestants, fans, and women’s rights groups accusing organisers of hypocrisy for allowing verbal abuse at an event that claims to empower women.
According to multiple online reports, Nawat Itsaragrisil verbally attacked Miss Mexico for failing to post a promotional video on her social media page as instructed by organisers. Witnesses said Bosch tried to explain herself, but Nawat cut her off, calling her “dumb” and “unprofessional.” When Bosch objected, he allegedly called in security and threatened to disqualify her and anyone who defended her.
The situation quickly escalated, leading Bosch to walk out of the ceremony. Several contestants from other countries joined her in solidarity, staging a peaceful protest outside the venue.
In a video that went viral soon after the incident, Fatima Bosch addressed her followers outside the event hall, visibly emotional but composed. She expressed her love for Thailand but criticised the disrespect she had received from the pageant official.
“As a country, you have all my respect. I truly love Thailand. You are amazing people. But what your director did is not respectful. He called me dumb and told me to shut up. I think the world needs to see this because we are empowered women. This is a platform for our voice,” Bosch said.
Her statement quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking an international conversation about respect, equality, and the treatment of women in global beauty competitions.
Shortly after Bosch’s remarks, other contestants were seen leaving the event venue in support of Miss Mexico. Videos posted online showed women from different countries, including Latin America, Africa, and Europe, linking arms and chanting messages of empowerment.
Some contestants reportedly refused to return to rehearsals until organisers issued a formal apology. Their actions drew praise from fans around the world who saw the protest as a stand against bullying and intimidation.
“Miss Universe claims to empower women, but this is the opposite. Calling a contestant ‘dumb’ is verbal abuse,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“We stand with Fatima Bosch. This kind of humiliation has no place in a global event that celebrates women,” another commented.
The hashtags #StandWithMissMexico and #MissUniverseScandal began trending on X and Instagram, with thousands of posts condemning the organiser’s behaviour and demanding accountability.
The Miss Universe pageant is one of the world’s oldest and most celebrated beauty competitions, known for promoting confidence, intelligence, and cultural pride among women. However, in recent years, it has faced several scandals that have raised questions about its credibility.
In 2023, the pageant came under fire for alleged favouritism and irregularities in judging. The following year, Miss Nicaragua’s win stirred controversy amid claims of political influence.
The 2025 edition, being hosted in Thailand, was meant to mark a new beginning for the competition under its new leadership. The Miss Universe Organisation was bought in 2022 by Thai businesswoman and transgender rights advocate Anne Jakrajutatip, who had promised to make the pageant more inclusive and respectful of women’s rights.
However, the current scandal has cast doubt on those promises, with critics saying the organisation must now prove it truly stands for empowerment and equality.
Following widespread criticism, Nawat Itsaragrisil issued a tearful public apology. In a statement shared by Thai media, he expressed regret for his comments and said he had no intention of humiliating Miss Mexico.
However, the apology did little to calm the backlash. Many fans and activists described it as “insincere” and accused him of only apologising after facing public pressure.
In response to the mounting controversy, the President of the Miss Universe Organisation, Raúl Rocha, announced disciplinary measures against Nawat. Rocha said the Thai director would be “restricted and almost completely excluded” from all activities of the 74th Miss Universe competition.
Soon after, the organisation confirmed that Nawat Itsaragrisil had been officially dismissed from his position as National Director of Miss Universe Thailand. Rocha said the decision was taken to “uphold the values of respect, dignity, and empowerment that the Miss Universe brand represents.”
Women’s rights groups have praised Bosch and her fellow contestants for taking a stand. A Bangkok-based activist, speaking to local media, said the walkout highlighted the need for beauty contests to prioritise respect and ethics over glamour.
“Miss Universe is supposed to be about more than beauty. It’s about confidence, intelligence, and leadership. No woman should ever be insulted or silenced on such a global stage,” she said.
Social media has continued to buzz with debate over the issue. Supporters of Miss Mexico hailed her courage, while others called on the Miss Universe Organisation to implement stricter policies against harassment and abuse.
The controversy has also drawn attention from public figures across Latin America and Asia, many of whom called for greater accountability and transparency in the pageant industry.
As the Miss Universe 2025 competition prepares to continue in Thailand later this month, questions remain about whether the scandal will affect the final event. Observers say the organisers must now work hard to rebuild trust and ensure contestants feel safe and respected.
For many, the walkout will be remembered as a powerful moment of unity — when contestants from around the world stood together to demand dignity and fairness.
