Ex-Miss Universe winner makes racist comments & actions to slam director of Miss Universe Thailand as controversy deepens

A former Miss Universe winner from Venezuela is accused of appearing on social media and making racist remarks about Thais, Chinese and Koreans, as well as Asians in general.

Alicia Machado, who won the title in 1996 and is now an Venezuelan-American, did a livestream on Nov. 5 to comment on the controversy involving the director of Miss Universe Thailand, Nawat Itsaragrisil, and Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch.

The beauty pageant has been hit by a series of controversies.

Called Thai a Chinese

Machado, now an actress and TV host, slammed Itsaragrisil and called him "that despicable Chinese".

In response to her tirade, a commenter online corrected Machao, saying that Itsaragrisil is not Chinese.

Machao did not back down and retorted that regardless if they are Chinese, Thai or Korean, "everyone with slanted eyes" are all "Chinese".

She went as far as to lift her shades to pull back the corners of her eyes.

The gesture has historically been understood as mocking Asian facial features.

The portion of her livestream where she made the comments and her actions was clipped and translated, and uploaded to social media.

In her rant, she also reportedly questioned why Thailand is hosting Miss Universe 2025 and called the country's beaches "extremely polluted" and "disgusting".

The Miss Universe 2025 pageant will be held on Nov. 21.

Franchise owner weighs in

Miss Universe franchise owner Josh Yugen slammed Machado's response on Instagram Stories.

"It's shocking that in 2025, we still hear such ignorance. Thailand – one of the world's most welcoming, safe and sophisticated countries – deserves rspect, not mockery," he wrote.

His Instagram Stories featured a clip of her livestream.

"Her words are proof that racism is still alive and we must continue fighting it – not with hate, but with education. Unfollow ignorance," he added.

He suggested that she go to Thailand to experience the "first-class hotels, world-class transport and warm-hearted people" before making comments.

He added a call to "stop Asian hate".

Irony of racist comment

The irony of Machado's remarks were not lost on some.

She had previously hit back at discrimination when United States president Donald Trump fat-shamed her in 1996.

Machado publicly stated in 2016 that she was going to vote for Hillary Clinton.

Background

Itsaragrisil was caught on video lecturing Bosch for not posting promotional materials of Thailand.

He apparently insulted her, saying: "If you follow the order from your national director, you're a dumb head."

Itsaragrisil later apologised, and claimed he had said "damage" and not "dumb head".

Top photos via Alicia Machado & Nawat Itsaragrisil