Once again, the Miss Universe 2025 pageant finds itself embroiled in controversy as a video surfaces showing a heated confrontation between Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, the local director and vice president for Asia and Oceania, and Fátima Bosch, Mexico's representative.
The incident, which took place during a meeting in Bangkok, has sparked a wave of criticism against the organization. In the footage, Nawat persistently questions Bosch about her alleged failure to participate in promotional activities related to Thailand, the host country. As Bosch attempted to respond, she was repeatedly interrupted by the businessman, who refused to let her speak, prompting her to assert, “Yes, but you are not respecting me as a woman.”
Tensions escalated when Itsaragrisil instructed security to remove the contestant from the room, inciting outrage among attendees and participants who stood in solidarity with the Mexican representative, leaving the meeting alongside her, while the businessman threatened, “If anyone wants to continue in the pageant, sit down.”
Breaking her silence, Fátima Bosch described the situation as “unjust” and condemned the disrespectful treatment she received. “He called me stupid because of his issues with my organization, and that is not fair. I am here doing everything correctly,” she stated to local media.
The Miss Universe Mexico Organization also defended their queen, emphasizing on social media: "What happened today with Nawat Itsaragrisil in Thailand is unacceptable. No woman, in any setting, deserves to be insulted or humiliated. We firmly believe in the values that Miss Universe promotes: respect, dignity, and empowerment. We know this platform was not created to divide or degrade, but to uplift women and give them a voice and vote in the world.”
The scandal comes just weeks before the pageant's grand finale, set for November 21 in Bangkok, and has garnered strong support for the Mexican representative, who has emerged as a symbol of strength and dignity.
With this incident, Miss Universe faces a new image challenge, as the pressure mounts for the organization to re-evaluate its protocols for respect and fairness towards contestants.
FAQs on Miss Universe Controversy
What led to the confrontation between Fátima Bosch and Nawat Itsaragrisil?
The confrontation arose when Nawat Itsaragrisil accused Fátima Bosch of not fulfilling promotional activities for Thailand, leading to a heated exchange where Bosch asserted her right to be respected.
How did the Miss Universe Mexico Organization respond to the incident?
The Miss Universe Mexico Organization condemned the incident as unacceptable, emphasizing the values of respect, dignity, and empowerment that the pageant promotes.
What impact has the incident had on the Miss Universe pageant?
The incident has created a public relations challenge for Miss Universe, with increased scrutiny on how the organization handles issues of respect and fairness among contestants.