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The Miss Universe 2025 competition, set to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, has found itself in the midst of controversy after a confrontation between a senior pageant official and Miss Universe Mexico, Fátima Bosch, prompted an unexpected act of solidarity, a walkout led by several contestants, including the reigning Miss Universe Victoria Theilvig.

During a live-streamed sashing ceremony on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, Nawat Itsaragrisil, vice president for Asia and Oceania at the Miss Universe Organisation, publicly reprimanded Bosch for allegedly missing a sponsor shoot earlier that day. He accused her of showing “no respect” and demanded she stand up and “explain herself” in front of the other delegates.

Bosch, visibly uncomfortable, pushed back against being called out in front of her peers, saying she wanted to “use my voice” to stand up for herself. Itsaragrisil responded by calling her “a foolish act” and instructed security to escort her out. Before she was removed, dozens of contestants began rising from their seats and walking out in protest. “Stop, stop. Sit down!” Itsaragrisil can be heard shouting in the live video, threatening disqualification if the contestants continued to leave, but his warnings didn’t deter them.

‘This is about women’s rights’

Outside the venue, 2024 titleholder Theilvig voiced her support for Bosch, telling reporters, “This is about women’s rights. We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled. To trash another girl, it’s beyond disrespectful. That’s why I’m taking my coat and I’m going.” Bosch later spoke to Thai media, saying she had been called “ignorant” and “told to shut up.”

“I just try to be kind and do my best,” she said. “I think the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and no one can shut out our voice… no one will do that to me.” In another interview, she reiterated her message of strength and purpose. “We’re in the 21st century, and I’m not a doll to be made up and styled. I came here to be a voice for all the women who fight for causes, and I’m not afraid to make my voice heard.”

Itsaragrisil issues clarification and apology

Hours after the incident, Itsaragrisil went live on his TikTok page to address the controversy. He clarified that several contestants had allegedly refused to film promotional videos for sponsors, and that he had been dealing with “daily problems” due to the absence of Miss Universe Organisation officials in Thailand. Despite these challenges, he said he intends to meet executives to discuss the incident and offered an apology to the delegates.

The Miss Universe Organisation responds

Following backlash online, the Miss Universe Organisation reaffirmed its “commitment to diversity, empowerment, and inclusion.” President Raúl Rocha Cantú condemned Itsaragrisil’s “malicious acts” toward Bosch, restricting his participation as newly appointed CEO Mario Búcaro heads to Thailand ahead of the November 20 finale.

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