Miss Universe Mexico 2025 Fatima Bosch says a top Miss Universe pageant official insulted her and ordered her to be quiet during a preliminary event in Bangkok on Nov. 3, sparking a walkout by several contestants and igniting controversy ahead of this year’s Miss Universe competition.
Nawat Itsaragrisil, a Thai businessman and president of Miss Universe for Asia and Oceania, reportedly told Bosch to stand and questioned her about missing a sponsor photoshoot. As the exchange grew tense, several contestants stood up and walked out in support of Bosch.
The incident, which occurred before the contestants’ sash ceremony, was captured live and is now circulating across social media.
“Anyone who wants to continue in the competition, sit down,” Itsaragrisil is seen on video telling the contestants in the room, at one point calling for security to remove Bosch.
“We are empowered women, and this platform is meant to give us a voice — no one can silence us,” Bosch later told reporters. She claimed Itsaragrisil called her “stupid,” saying he was upset because he has issues with the Miss Universe organization.
“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. Bosch also emphasized her respect for Thailand and encouraged women not to tolerate degrading treatment.
Itsaragrisil’s firm, which also owns and operates other beauty pageants including Miss Grand International, recently acquired shares from former Miss Universe director Anne Jakrajutatip.
Many see the sash-ceremony incident as an example of tensions between the Thai businessman and the current Miss Universe Organization (MUO) leadership, chaired by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha and Guatemalan businessman Mario Búcaro, recently appointed CEO of the pageant.
“The Miss Universe Organization stands firm in protecting the dignity, safety and respect of every delegate,” MUO said on its official profile, where it also shared a press release announcing that Búcaro will travel to Thailand to strengthen collaboration with the host country.
They reaffirmed in the same post that the pageant events will continue as planned and that the MUO will work closely with Itsaragrisil’s group and local partners to ensure the competition’s success.
Miss Universe Mexico thanked supporters on social media for their backing and reiterated the need to uphold respect.
“From Mexico to the world we remind you of something: Respect is not optional. Empowerment is not a trend. It is our right. To all the fans, creators and people who have joined: Thank you for showing that solidarity is louder than hate,” she wrote on her Instagram profile.
Itsaragrisil issued a public apology on Nov. 4: “If someone felt uncomfortable, if someone was affected, I apologize to each of those people.”
The Miss Universe final will take place on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and will air live on Telemundo and the Peacock streaming service.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM.
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Sarah Moreno
el Nuevo Herald
Sarah Moreno cubre temas de negocios, entretenimiento y tendencias en el sur de la Florida. Se graduó de la Universidad de La Habana y de Florida International University. @SarahMoreno1585
