Miss Universe | The host and a candidate argue
(Bangkok) An insulted beauty queen, supportive candidates and a host in tears: a Miss Universe competition less civilized than usual is being held this year in Thailand, to the point of reacting to the president of Mexico.
More than 120 candidates from all over the world have gathered in Thailand to try to win the title of Miss Universe, considered one of the most important international beauty contests.
But this 2025 edition is less restrictive than usual.
On Tuesday, Mexican candidate Fatima Bosch unusually walked out of a preparation meeting after being publicly criticized by Miss Universe host Nawat Itsaragrisil.
In front of an audience of misses from all over the world, the latter described her as “idiotic” after having notably criticized her for not having published a promotional video on Thailand on her social networks. As the meeting was filmed, the incident was broadcast live.
Nawat Itsaragrisil has since denied using the term.
After insulting Fatima Bosch, who took offense, he called security, and the Miss, furious, left the room, followed by some of her dressed colleagues, including Miss Iraq.
“What your director did was disrespectful: he called me an idiot,” Fatima Bosch immediately expressed outrage in front of the journalists present.
“The world needs to witness this because we are independent women and this space allows us to make our voices heard,” she said.
When she left, other surprised and supportive candidates stood up, before freezing, hesitant, when Nawat Itsaragrisil threatened to disqualify those who refused to “sit down”.
The episode provoked a reaction from the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, who said she was “paying homage” to Fatima Bosch, whose reaction is “an example of how we, women, must express ourselves” in the face of aggression.
The Mexican embassy in Thailand said on its Facebook page that it was in “constant communication” with Mr.me Bosch and his relatives, but did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.
“Respect violated”
Nawat Itsaragrisil, for his part, saw his behavior publicly denounced by the Miss Universe organization.
“I will not allow the values of respect and dignity towards women to be violated,” declared its president Raul Rocha in a speech delivered from the podium, standing next to the gold filigree tiara intended for the future winner of the competition.
“Unfortunately, Nawat (Itsaragrisil) has forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a true host,” he added, accusing him of “public aggression” and saying his role in the contest would be limited.
Media mogul Nawat Itsaragrisil, also president of the Miss Grand International (MGI) beauty pageant, later appeared in tears at a press conference, theatrically wiping his eyes with a handkerchief and claiming to have been “betrayed.”
But he took a leading role during the competition’s opening ceremony on Wednesday evening, during which he apologized to the candidates.
“I am a human being,” he said, assuring that “the pressure is enormous”. “I respect you all. »
Before this dispute, the competition had already experienced controversy this year.
According to local media, police were investigating participants who allegedly filmed videos showing pillows bearing the name of an online casino in their hotel, in violation of Thailand’s strict gambling laws.
Barring any further developments, the final of the competition is expected to take place on November 21 in Nonthaburi, southern Thailand.
