The Miss Universe 2025 pageant has been hit by controversy after several contestants walked out of a pre-pageant ceremony in protest of what they described as “humiliating and disrespectful” behaviour by Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of Miss Universe Thailand.
During Tuesday’s event in Bangkok, Thailand, Nawat publicly berated Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch in front of dozens of contestants for failing to post promotional content about the host country.
The confrontation, which was captured on video and widely shared online, shows the Thai official raising his voice, threatening to disqualify Bosch, and calling security to remove her.
According to reports from BBC News, Bosch attempted to defend herself before being interrupted multiple times.
Witnesses said the 25-year-old beauty queen was “shouted down” and “humiliated” in front of her peers.
When she left the room in tears, several other contestants, including reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark, walked out in solidarity .
“This is about women’s rights,” Theilvig said as she exited the venue.
“This is not how things should be handled. To trash another girl is beyond disrespectful. That’s why I’m taking my coat and walking out.”
In the viral footage, Nawat can be heard shouting, “If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down. If you step out, the rest of the girls continue.”
Despite the warning, most of the contestants in the room stood up and followed Bosch out of the venue.
Following the incident, Bosch told the media that Nawat was “not respectful” and had insulted her intelligence by calling her “dumb.”
The Thai executive later denied this, saying his words had been “misinterpreted,” though he admitted to calling security to intervene.
The Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) swiftly condemned Nawat’s behaviour, calling it “malicious and unacceptable.”
MUO President Raul Rocha said in a video statement that the Thai official had “forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host” and “humiliated, insulted, and intimidated a defenceless woman.”
Rocha confirmed that legal action was being considered and that Nawat’s role in the competition would be “limited or eliminated entirely.”
“I wish to reiterate that Miss Universe is an empowerment platform for women so that their voices can be heard in the world,” Rocha added.
After widespread outrage online, Nawat issued a public apology, saying:
“If anyone feels bad, uncomfortable, or affected, I apologise to everyone. I especially apologise to the girls who were present, around 75 of them.”
Bosch later said she stood by her reaction.
“I just want my country to know I’m not afraid to make my voice heard,” she told reporters.
“I’m not a doll to be styled and dressed, I came here to be a voice for women who fight for causes that matter.”
Despite the controversy, the Miss Universe 2025 competition continues as planned, with contestants attending a welcome gala in Bangkok on Wednesday.
The new Miss Universe will be crowned on 21 November 2025.
