The Miss Universe 2025 pageant is once again at the center of controversy following the release of a video in which Thai businessman Nawat Itsaragrisil, the local director and vice president of the competition for Asia and Oceania, is involved in a tense confrontation with Fátima Bosch, the representative from Mexico.
The incident, which took place during a meeting in Bangkok, has sparked a wave of criticism towards the organization. In the images, Nawat persistently questions Bosch for allegedly failing to carry out promotional activities about Thailand, the host country. When attempting to respond, the Mexican was interrupted several times by the businessman, who would not allow her to speak, until she replied, “Yes, but you are not respecting me as a woman.”
The exchange grew more tense when Itsaragrisil ordered the security personnel to remove the contestant from the room, provoking the outrage of attendees and participants who showed solidarity with the Mexican and left the meeting alongside her while the businessman threatened: “If anyone wants to continue in the competition, take your seats.”
Fátima Bosch broke her silence, describing the situation as “unjust” and denouncing that she was treated with disrespect. “He called me stupid because he has issues with my organization, and that’s not fair. I’m here doing everything correctly,” she stated to local media.
The Miss Universe Mexico Organization also came to the defense of its queen and emphasized on its social media: "What happened today with Nawat Itsaragrisil in Thailand is unacceptable. No woman, in any setting, deserves to be insulted or humiliated. We firmly believe in the values that Miss Universe promotes: respect, dignity, and empowerment. We know that this platform was not created to divide or degrade, but to elevate women and give them a voice and a vote in the world."
The scandal occurs just a few weeks before the grand final of the competition, scheduled for November 21 in Bangkok, and has generated strong support for the Mexican representative, who has become a symbol of strength and dignity.
With this episode, Miss Universe faces a new image challenge as the pressure grows for the organization to review its protocols of respect and fairness towards the contestants.
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