Miss Universe contestants walk out after host nation official berates miss Mexico

Several contestants at the Miss Universe pageant walked out in solidarity after a tense confrontation between Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, and a Thai official, Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of Miss Universe Thailand.

The incident occurred during a pre-pageant ceremony, where Nawat publicly reprimanded Bosch for failing to post promotional content. When Bosch objected to the criticism, Nawat called security and threatened to disqualify those who supported her. Several contestants, visibly upset by the treatment, stood in solidarity with Bosch, and others left the room in protest. The confrontation was broadcast live, and the video quickly went viral on social media, BBC reports. 

In the video, Nawat can be heard shouting at Bosch, ordering her to stop talking and accusing her of causing "damage." When several contestants stood up in protest, he warned, “If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down. If you step out, the rest of the girls continue.”

Despite this, many of the women in the room, including reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark, stood and left the ceremony.

Bosch, 25, later spoke to the press, describing Nawat's behavior as disrespectful.

"He called me ‘dumb,’" she said, referring to the incident. "He was not respectful."

Nawat, however, denied using the term "dumb," claiming that he had said she was a "dumbhead" due to her actions causing "damage" to the event.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) swiftly condemned Nawat's actions, labeling them "malicious" and a serious breach of conduct.

In a statement, MUO President Raul Rocha said that Nawat had "forgotten the true meaning of what it means to be a genuine host" and described his behavior as "humiliating, insulting, and showing a lack of respect." Rocha also denounced Nawat for calling security to intimidate Bosch, calling it a "serious abuse."

As a result of the incident, the MUO announced that Nawat's participation in the pageant would be limited or completely eliminated. The organisation also indicated it would pursue legal action against him.

"Miss Universe is an empowerment platform for women so that their voices can be heard in the world," Rocha emphasised in the statement.

Among those who walked out in protest was Miss Universe Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig.

"This is about women's rights," she said as she left the event. "This is not how things should be handled. To trash another girl is beyond disrespectful... That's why I'm taking my coat and I'm walking out."

Fatima Bosch also expressed her commitment to using her platform to advocate for women's rights.

"I just want to let my country know, I'm not afraid to make my voice heard. It's here stronger than ever. I have a purpose. I have things to say," she said in an interview. "We're in the 21st century. I'm not a doll to be made up, styled and have my clothes changed. I came here to be a voice for all the women and all the girls who fight for causes and to tell my country that I'm completely committed to that."

Following the incident, Nawat issued a video apology, acknowledging the discomfort caused by his behavior.

"If anyone feels bad, uncomfortable, or affected, I apologise to everyone. I especially apologised to the girls who were present, around 75 of them," he said.

Despite the controversy, the Miss Universe competition continued. The winner of the pageant will be crowned on November 21.

By Sabina Mammadli