Miss Universe Stands by Mexican Contestant Amid Onstage Controversy
There has been a major stir in the beauty pageant world ahead of the Miss Universe 2025 competition, and it all revolves around Miss Universe Mexico, 25-year-old Fátima Bosch. The incident took place during a pre-sash ceremony in Thailand and quickly drew international attention after it was livestreamed on Miss Universe Thailand’s Facebook page on November 4.
During the livestream, Nawat Itsaragrisil, a Thai businessman who serves as president of Miss Grand International and vice president for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organization, publicly singled out Bosch. He accused her of not fulfilling certain obligations for the competition and dismissed her explanation, calling her “dumb.” The confrontation escalated to the point where Itsaragrisil called for security to remove her from the event.
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Bosch, however, remained calm and resolute. In a Spanish-language interview shared on social media, she expressed her determination to make her voice heard. She emphasized that she came to the competition not merely as a contestant, but as a representative for women and girls fighting for causes, insisting, “I am completely committed to that.” Her stance immediately drew support from fans and fellow contestants alike.
The Miss Universe Organization quickly responded. President Raúl Rocha Cantú condemned Itsaragrisil’s actions as “malicious,” highlighting that he humiliated and insulted Bosch while showing a lack of respect. He criticized the intimidation tactics used by calling security to silence a contestant and stressed that as the host, Itsaragrisil has a duty to serve and support the delegates, ensuring their experience is filled with courtesy and kindness. Cantú also announced that Itsaragrisil’s participation in this year’s events has been restricted, with possible corporate and legal actions forthcoming.
Video footage of the incident shows Bosch calmly trying to respond while Itsaragrisil continued to challenge her, repeatedly belittling her and her national director. At one point, Bosch told him directly, “You are not respecting me as a woman,” before the situation intensified when security was called. Fellow contestants, including the reigning Miss Universe from Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, protested the move, and some even walked out briefly to show their support.
Itsaragrisil later issued a public apology on TikTok, acknowledging that some participants may have felt uncomfortable and attributing the incident to miscommunication. Still, Bosch and her supporters remained firm, reinforcing that no woman deserves to be insulted or humiliated under any circumstance. Social media posts from contestants and the Miss Universe organization echoed messages of solidarity, with praise for Bosch’s courage and strength.
The Miss Universe 2025 pageant, featuring 122 delegates from around the world, is scheduled to take place on November 21 in Pak Kret, Thailand. In the midst of this controversy, Fátima Bosch has become a symbol of resilience and dignity, showing that standing up for oneself is both powerful and necessary. Her actions have not only represented Mexico but have sent a clear message that respect and equality must be upheld in every corner of the competition.
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