Miss Universe Contestants Walk Out After Executive’s Outburst

The Miss Universe Organization is facing intense scrutiny after executive director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly humiliated Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, prompting a mass walkout and widespread condemnation. Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú has since issued a public apology, and the organization is scrambling to contain the damage as calls for Itsaragrisil’s ouster grow louder.

BANGKOK, Thailand – A pre-pageant event for Miss Universe descended into chaos on Tuesday when contestants walked out in protest after a heated exchange in which an executive allegedly called one contender a “dummy” and ordered her removal.

The incident, which was captured on a live stream by Miss Universe Thailand, involved Nawat Itsaragrisil, an executive director of the Miss Universe Organization. Itsaragrisil reportedly berated Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, in front of her fellow contestants for not participating in a social media shoot.

According to the live-streamed video, Itsaragrisil confronted the contestants during the annual sash ceremony, questioning why some had not taken part in a sponsorship shoot. The situation escalated when he singled out Bosch, accusing her of disrespect and not following the rules.

“Mexico, where are you?” Itsaragrisil asked, prompting Bosch to identify herself. “I heard you’re not going to support everything about Thailand, is that true?”

Itsaragrisil accused Bosch of prioritizing the instructions of the Miss Mexico directors over the Miss Universe team in Thailand. The executive’s harsh words and public shaming of Bosch led to a mass walkout by several contestants in solidarity.

The Miss Universe Organization has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. The controversy has sparked outrage among fans and pageant observers, with many calling for Itsaragrisil’s resignation.

This year’s Miss Universe pageant is set to take place in Thailand, with the final competition scheduled for November 18, 2025. However, the recent controversy has cast a shadow over the event, raising questions about the organization’s leadership and treatment of its contestants.

Fátima Bosch, confronted an executive director over alleged disrespect, leading to a mass walkout by fellow contestants, including the reigning Miss Universe.

The incident occurred during a sash ceremony when Nawat Itsaragrisil, an executive director of the Miss Universe Organization, called out Bosch in front of her peers. The tense exchange, which lasted four minutes, culminated in Itsaragrisil calling Bosch a “dummy,” igniting the fury of the women present.

“I still keep talking to everybody, why you still stand up to talk to me?” Itsaragrisil questioned Bosch.

“Because I have a voice,” she retorted. “You are not respecting me as a woman.”

Unable to silence Bosch, Itsaragrisil reportedly called for security to remove her from the room, a decision that was met with dismay by the other contestants.

“As women, you need to show respect for us. I’m here representing a country, and it’s not my fault that you have problems with my organization,” Bosch declared as she walked out of the room.

In a powerful display of solidarity, over a dozen participants, including the current Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, joined Bosch in the walkout.

“Sit down. If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down,” Itsaragrisil said, issuing what many perceived as a veiled threat.

Bosch later told reporters that she was upset because Itsaragrisil had called her “stupid” due to his issues with the organization, according to the Miami Herald. “I don’t think that’s fair. I’m here doing everything right — I don’t bother anyone, I try to be kind, I’m doing my best — and he told me to shut up,” she said.

Theilvig also condemned the executive’s public reprimand of Bosch, emphasizing the need for respect for all contestants. “This is about women’s rights,” she told reporters. “I’m so sorry, we need to do something bigger. We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled.”

Theilvig vowed not to return to the sash ceremony after the walkout, stating, “To trash another girl – it’s beyond disrespectful, and it’s nothing I’ve ever done. That’s why I’m taking my coat, and I’m going.”

She reiterated her stance on Instagram, saying, “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, and it’s nothing I’ve ever done. That’s why I’m taking my coat, and I’m going.”

The Miss Universe Organization has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.

The Miss Universe Organization is reeling from the fallout of a controversial incident in which executive director Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly berated Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for his removal.

Following the incident, Miss Universe President Raúl Rocha Cantú issued a public apology to Bosch, admitting that Itsaragrisil “humiliated, insulted, and showed a lack of respect, in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman, trying to silence and exclude her.”

In response to the uproar, Cantú announced that newly elected CEO Mario Búcaro would be sent to Thailand to oversee the remainder of the pageant events, effectively limiting Itsaragrisil’s participation in the competition, which culminates with the crowning ceremony on Nov. 20.

Furious viewers have flooded social media, demanding that Itsaragrisil be removed from his position, with many expressing outrage over Bosch’s “unfair” treatment.

“NO MORE NAWAT. He needs to be OUT. You need to take action against him. This is the moment to protect our traditional and loved pageant,” one Instagram comment read.

“Hold @nawat.tv accountable. Disrespecting contestants and telling them that if they walked out they were not going to be part of the contest is not ok,” another user wrote.

Itsaragrisil addressed the controversy on his Instagram account Wednesday morning, stating, “I invested and tried my best to make this event fair to everyone, but it’s hard to control because the daily events of being posted makes it harder for him to reach the miss.” He added, “Sorry universe fans, I can only do this because my patience has a limit. Sorry again if I make anyone uncomfortable watching.”

The Miss Universe Organization has yet to release a formal statement addressing Itsaragrisil’s future with the company. gawcam

Miss Universe Contestants Walk Out After Executive’s Outburst

READ MORE ARTICLES:

Leave a ReplyCancel reply