Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil clashed with Miss Universe contestants in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday over his comments on Miss Mexico.
Newsweek reached out to MGI via email and the Miss Universe Organization via an online form for comment on Tuesday.
Why It Matters
The Miss Universe competition is one of the world’s most-watched beauty pageants. The Thai businessman’s remarks prompted several contestants to walk out in protest and sparked criticism online.
What To Know
On November 4, Itsaragrisil publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during a sashing ceremony at a hotel in Bangkok. The confrontation was livestreamed on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page. According to the footage, Itsaragrisil questioned Bosch’s absence from a sponsorship shoot and her participation in a filming session for Telemundo. Bosch subsequently left the venue, followed by other contestants in solidarity.
“Stop. Stop! Sit down,” Itsaragrisil can be heard saying as some women stood up to leave the room. “If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down.”
In a separate clip posted to the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page after the initial video, Itsaragrisil invited the women back “except Mexico” because “she’s talking too much.”
What People Are Saying
Following the walkout, Fatima Bosch said in a TikTok video posted by @ahtisa_universeph with over 375,600 views: “What your director just did is not respectful. He called me dumb because he have problems with the organization. And I think that’s not fair because I’m here and I do everything OK. I don’t mess with anyone. I just try to be kind. I’m trying to give my best, and he just shot me [down] and he just said to me and shut up and a lot of different things. And I think that the world needs to see this because we are empowered women, and this is a platform for our voice. And no one can shut our voice. No one will do that to me.”
Toward the end of the Facebook clip, Miss Universe Bonaire 2025, Nicole Peiliker-Visser, said: “Can we talk? We can fix this. We can bring them back. We’re having such a great time in Thailand, this is such a great place.”
Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, who is from Denmark, defended Bosch in a message posted to her Instagram Stories: “Forever proud of my @fatimaboschfdz. Standing up for yourself is not always easy, but it is one of the most important acts of self-respect and strength you can show. It means knowing your worth, setting boundaries, and not allowing anyone or anything to undermine your voice or your value. It’s about acknowledging that you have a right to be heard, to express your opinions, and to pursue your dreams, regardless of any obstacles that may come your way. Enough is enough, and our voices will be heard loud and clear!”
In an Instagram video posted by journalist Harry Rodz Caraballo, Theilvig—who walked out of the room—shared why she did so: “This is about women’s rights…we have respect for everyone, but this is not how it should be handled. To trash another girl is beyond disrespectful.”
What Happens Next
At the time of publication, neither the Miss Universe Organization nor Nawat Itsaragrisil have released an official statement addressing the confrontation or the subsequent walkout.
The Miss Universe pageant is set to take place on November 21 in Thailand.
