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The Miss Universe 2025 competition, set to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, has found itself in the midst of controversy after a confrontation between a senior pageant official and Miss Universe Mexico, Fátima Bosch, prompted an unexpected act of solidarity — a walkout led by several contestants, including the reigning Miss Universe Victoria Theilvig.

During a live-streamed sashing ceremony on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page, Nawat Itsaragrisil, vice president for Asia and Oceania at the Miss Universe Organisation, publicly reprimanded Bosch for allegedly missing a sponsor shoot earlier that day.

He accused her of showing “no respect” and demanded she stand up and “explain herself” in front of the other delegates.

Bosch, visibly uncomfortable, pushed back against being called out in front of her peers, saying she wanted to “use my voice” to stand up for herself. Itsaragrisil responded by calling her “a dumb act” and instructed security to escort her out.

Before she was removed, dozens of contestants began rising from their seats and walking out in protest.

“Stop, stop. Sit down!” Itsaragrisil can be heard shouting in the live video, threatening disqualification if the contestants continued to leave, but his warnings didn’t deter them.

‘This is about women’s rights’

Outside the venue, 2024 titleholder Theilvig voiced her support for Bosch, telling reporters, “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. That’s why I’m taking my coat and I’m going.”

Bosch later spoke to Thai media, saying she had been called “dumb” and “told to shut up”.

“I just try to be kind and do my best,” she said. “I think the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and no one can shut out our voice…no one will do that to me.”

In another interview, she reiterated her message of strength and purpose. “We’re in the 21st century, and I’m not a doll to be made up and styled. I came here to be a voice for all the women who fight for causes, and I’m not afraid to make my voice heard.”

Itsaragrisil issues clarification and apology

Hours after the incident, Itsaragrisil went live on his TikTok page to address the controversy. He clarified that several contestants had allegedly refused to film promotional videos for the pageant’s sponsors, and that he had been dealing with “daily problems” due to the absence of Miss Universe Organisation officials in Thailand.

Despite these challenges, he said he intends to meet organisation executives to discuss the incident and offered an apology to the delegates who remained in the hall during the ceremony.

“If anything happened today, you are not happy, some delegate feeling not comfortable, I do apologise, and also to the fans around the world too. But please understand our side too,” he said during the livestream, adding that he would “take good care” of Bosch and “resolve the issue with her”.

The Miss Universe Organisation responds

Following widespread backlash online, the Miss Universe Organisation released a statement reaffirming its “commitment to diversity, empowerment, and inclusion,” adding that all scheduled events would proceed as planned.

President Raúl Rocha Cantú separately issued a strongly worded video statement, condemning Itsaragrisil’s “malicious acts” toward Bosch. “I would like to make it clear my great indignation toward Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fátima Bosch,” Cantú said. “He humiliated, insulted, and intimidated a defenceless woman, trying to silence and exclude her.”

Cantú called Itsaragrisil’s behaviour “an abuse of power” and accused him of acting out of “a constant desire to be the centre of attention”.

As a result, the organisation said Itsaragrisil’s participation in this year’s events has been “restricted” and may be removed entirely pending further “corporate and legal actions”.

Cantú said that newly appointed Miss Universe Organisation CEO, Mario Búcaro, would travel to Thailand to oversee the remainder of the competition, further limiting Itsaragrisil’s participation in the pageant, which will culminate with the crowning ceremony on November 20.