Copyright timesnownews
A major controversy erupted in Bangkok, Thailand, during preparations for the upcoming Miss Universe 2025 pageant, after Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly clashed with Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch. The incident, which unfolded during a sashing ceremony livestreamed on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, has sparked outrage among contestants and fans worldwide, with several women reportedly walking out in solidarity with Bosch. The Confrontation The drama began on November 4, when Nawat reprimanded Bosch in front of the contestants for allegedly missing a sponsorship shoot and attending a filming session for Telemundo instead. In the livestreamed footage, Nawat can be heard saying sharply, “Stop. Stop! Sit down. If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down,” as contestants began to rise and protest his remarks. Shortly after the exchange, Bosch left the venue, and several other contestants followed her out in support. Later, in another clip posted on Facebook, Nawat appeared to double down, inviting everyone back into the room “except Mexico,” adding that “she’s talking too much.” Bosch Speaks Out Taking to TikTok after the incident, Bosch called out the MGI president’s behavior, saying, “What your director just did is not respectful. He called me dumb because he has problems with the organization. That’s not fair because I do everything OK. I don’t mess with anyone. I try to be kind. The world needs to see this because we are empowered women, and this is a platform for our voice. No one can shut our voice.” Her comments quickly went viral, with many praising her composure and courage to speak up. Contestants Show Support The confrontation prompted an outpouring of solidarity from fellow contestants. Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, shared a message on Instagram Stories praising Bosch: “Standing up for yourself is not always easy, but it’s one of the most important acts of self-respect and strength you can show. Enough is enough — our voices will be heard loud and clear.” Meanwhile, Miss Universe Bonaire 2025, Nicole Peiliker-Visser, was seen in the livestream attempting to mediate, urging Nawat to resolve the matter peacefully: “We can fix this. We can bring them back. We’re having such a great time in Thailand.” Several contestants reportedly exited the ceremony, underscoring growing tensions between the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and MGI. The Miss Universe Organization Responds Following widespread backlash online, the Miss Universe Organization issued an official statement acknowledging the incident and announcing that the matter would be investigated. “The Miss Universe Organization reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the host community, Miss Grand International, and all local partners to ensure the continued success of the 74th Miss Universe competition,” the statement read. The organization revealed that a high-level delegation led by CEO Mario Búcaro was being dispatched to Thailand “to coordinate efforts, ensure a secure and professional environment for all delegates, and reaffirm MUO’s commitment to transparency, respect, and unity.” MUO also confirmed that the pageant’s timeline would remain unchanged, and that all scheduled events and activities would proceed as planned.
