Miss Universe Mexico walks out of event after Miss Universe Thailand director calls her a 'dumb head'

The 2025 edition of Miss Universe held in Thailand has descended into more chaos after several contestants, including Miss Universe Mexico, Fátima Bosch, walked out of an event on Nov. 4.

This was after Nawat Itsaragrisil, the chair of the Miss Universe Thailand host committee, called Bosch a "dumb head" and called her out for not participating in promotional materials for Thailand.

The pageant had just made the news one day prior for allegations of encouraging contestants to promote an online gambling platform, which violates Thailand’s strict gambling laws.

Nawat claimed he was not aware of this, and called out the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) for mishandling operations and disregarding local laws.

Called out Miss Mexico

Tensions between MUO and the Miss Universe host had escalated when a video of Nawat criticising the former started circulating online.

“They (MUO) don’t know how to run a pageant,” Nawat had commented.

“They are not active at all. But we won’t follow up with them anymore. We’re done giving advice. Now we’ll take the lead.”

Raul Rocha, the MUO president, shot back by posting an image of the significant stock market price drop of Miss Grand International Public Co. Ltd.

Rocha is a Mexican businessman who bought a 50 per cent stake in the brand in January 2024 and also holds the Miss Universe Mexico copyright.

The conflict culminated in the incident on Nov. 4, during a sashing ceremony that was livestreamed on Facebook.

Nawat was seen singling out Bosch on her refusal to promote Thailand and alleged that the director of Miss Universe Mexico ordered her to do so.

"If you follow the order from your national director, you're a dumb head," he said at one point.

Contestants walked out

As Nawat continued to lecture the contestants, Bosch stood up to defend herself and call him out on his behaviour.

Nawat then called the security team, drawing gasps and protests from the rest of the room.

"I'm here representing my country and it's not my fault that you have problems with my organisation," Bosch can be heard saying.

The livestream ended as several contestants stood up to follow Bosch, who reportedly walked out of the event.

@thphpowerhouse OMG! NAG-WALKOUT NA SILA!!! Miss Universe 2025 Drama Continues #ahtisamanalo #missuniversephilippines #missuniverse #missuniverse2025 #thailand ♬ original sound - thphpowerhouse

In videos circulating online, Bosch addressed the media outside the room, saying that she respects Thailand and everyone in the country but that what Nawat did was not respectful.

"I think that the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and this is a platform for our voice and no one can shut our voice," she said.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a big dream or a crown. If it takes away your dignity, you need to go,” Bosch added.

Miss Universe 2024 winner Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark also walked out in solidarity, saying she believed what Nawat did violated women’s rights.

MUO's response

In a video response to the incident, Rocha said: “I will not allow the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated.”

MUO also made a statement, saying that they stand firm in "protecting the dignity, safety, and respect of every delegate".

They stated that a high-level delegation will be sent to Thailand to strengthen collaboration with the host country and relevant authorities.

Nawat's apology

On Nov. 5, multiple social media videos of Nawat's apology on a TikTok live was circulated.

He apologised for the recent disruption and added that he apologised to the "rest of the girls in the room", around 75 of them.

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Miss Universe 2025 is set to take place on Nov. 21 in Thailand.

Top photos from pageant.liveph/TikTok and Miss Universe Thailand/Facebook