Miss Universe 2025 Candidates Walk Out After Director Insults Miss Mexico

The Miss Universe 2025 pageant is already getting off to a controversial start. Several contestants walked out of an event after Thai pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil confronted Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, in public. The incident took place ahead of a scheduled sash ceremony and was broadcast live on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page. 

Nawat, who serves as Vice President for Asia and Oceania for the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and is the director of the Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant, publicly questioned Bosch’s absence from a sponsor shoot that took place earlier in the day, and asked her to stand and explain her absence on camera. During the exchange, he was heard calling her “dumb,” and after she pushed back on the treatment she was receiving, he called for “security.” 

Miss Mexico and several other delegates walked out of the room, including the current Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig. The moment has gone viral on social media, with some describing it as “the most empowering act in Miss Universe history.”

Other delegates seen walking out include Miss Armenia, Miss Canada, Miss Palestine, Miss Bahamas, Miss Cape Verde, Miss Spain, Miss Belize, Miss Bolivia, and Miss Bulgaria.

Bosch spoke to the media afterwards, saying, “I really love Thailand, I respect everyone, I think they are amazing people. But what the director just did was disrespectful; he called me ‘dumb’ because he has issues with the organization.” The current Miss Universe also spoke in support of Bosch.

Miss Universe Mexico also released a statement of support, condemning the incident. “What happened today with @fatimaboschfdz in Thailand is unacceptable. No woman, on any stage, deserves to be insulted or humiliated,” the statement read. “Today and always, Mexico stands with you, Fátima. Your strength, your class, and your voice represent the best of our nation,” the statement also said.

Afterwards, the Miss Universe Organization released an official statement, in which it reaffirmed its commitment to respect, safety, and collaboration, but did not name Nawat Itsaragrisil or reference the confrontation. The statement said that “All scheduled events and activities will continue as planned, reaffirming our shared goal of delivering an exceptional celebration that reflects the values of diversity, empowerment, and inclusion that define the Miss Universe legacy.