Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Calls Out Miss Thailand Director After Controversy
Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú, co-owner of the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant, poses for a photo next to an official Miss Universe crown during a media presentation at the Mexico City Arena, in Mexico City, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
The president of the Miss Universe (MU) Organization, Raúl Rocha Cantú, has released an official statement following the incident during the live sash ceremony on Monday (November 4), that caused several delegates, including Miss Mexico to walk out following a comment made by the MU Thailand director, Nawat Itsaragrisil.
“I want to express my solidarity and unconditional support to all the delegates representing the 122 countries of the Miss Universe competition, in which Thailand is our host country. I will not allow the values of respect and dignity towards women be violated. Unfortunately, Nawat has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host,” says Rocha.
Rocha adds that Nawat showed a lack of respect for his comment, along with a “serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman, trying to silence and exclude her.”
During the Monday morning sash incident, Nawat 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, Fátima Bosch, 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.
Nawat has since released an apology during a livestream later Monday evening, stating “if anyone feeling not good, if anyone not comfortable, if anyone affect, I do apologize for everyone. But I did talk… apologize to the list of the girls in the room, around 75 girls in the room.”
Though Miss Mexico walked out of the ceremony, she has stated that she will continue to participate in the 2025 MU competition.
“I want to let my country know that I am here, I’m not scared to raise my voice, I’m here stronger than ever.”