Miss Universe 2025 has entered the global spotlight for all the wrong reasons after a tense confrontation between Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, and Thai pageant director Nawat Itsaragrisil led to a dramatic walkout involving multiple contestants, including the reigning Miss Universe.
The incident unfolded during a live-streamed sash ceremony in Thailand. According to witnesses, Nawat questioned Bosch about her absence from a sponsor shoot, then demanded she stand and explain herself on camera. During the exchange, he allegedly called her “dumb” and told her to “shut up,” prompting Bosch to leave the room. Several contestants followed in solidarity, including Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig, and representatives of Armenia, Canada, Palestine, Bahamas, Cape Verde, Spain, Belize, Bolivia, and Bulgaria.
Speaking afterward, Fátima Bosch delivered a composed but powerful statement: “Dear country, you have my respect. I truly love Thailand and its people,” she said. “But what happened today was not respectful. I was called ‘dumb’ over an internal issue I had nothing to do with. I am here doing everything right, being kind, giving my best. And I was told to shut up. That is not acceptable.”
She continued: “The world needs to see this. We are empowered women. This platform is for our voices. No one has the right to silence us.”
The situation has sparked global conversation on contestant welfare, dignity, and the responsibility of pageant leadership to uphold the values they promote.
With the Miss Universe finals still ahead, all eyes are now on how the organization will respond, and whether this year’s competition will be remembered less for glamour, and more for the fight for respect on the international stage.
