A recent scandal has rocked the Miss Universe Organization, just days before its 74th annual pageant. The organization finds itself in hot water over the treatment of Miss Universe Mexico, Fátima Bosch, during a pre-pageant event in Thailand.
In a shocking turn of events, a livestreamed speech by Nawat Itsaragrisil, a Thai businessman and vice president of the Miss Universe Organization, went viral for all the wrong reasons. Itsaragrisil called out Bosch for allegedly failing to meet her obligations, chastised her for explaining her side, and even went as far as calling her "dumb." The tense exchange ended with Itsaragrisil demanding security to remove Bosch from the event.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Itsaragrisil's actions have sparked widespread condemnation and a fierce backlash. The organization's president, Raúl Rocha Cantú, released a video statement, sharply criticizing Itsaragrisil's "malicious acts" against Bosch. Cantú expressed his indignation, stating that Itsaragrisil had humiliated, insulted, and disrespected Bosch, and even called for security to intimidate a defenseless woman.
"Nawat, you need to stop," Cantú reprimanded. He added that Itsaragrisil's behavior was driven by his desire for attention.
As a result, Itsaragrisil's participation in this year's events has been severely restricted, and Cantú promised corporate and legal actions.
So, what exactly happened with Fátima Bosch at the Miss Universe event?
During his speech, Itsaragrisil accused someone of not fulfilling their obligations and asked contestants to raise their hands if they were the one at fault. After singling out Bosch, he claimed she hadn't promoted Thailand enough. Bosch tried to respond, but Itsaragrisil interrupted, saying she was following orders from her director and was "dumb."
Itsaragrisil's behavior was met with audible groans and protests from Bosch's fellow contestants. Some, including the reigning Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, even walked out.
In a follow-up interaction, Itsaragrisil seemed more willing to resolve the conflict. He later went on a TikTok livestream to apologize, acknowledging that his communications might have been confusing.
Miss Universe Mexico and other delegates denounced Itsaragrisil's comments, with Kjær Theilvig writing, "Standing up for yourself is an act of self-respect and strength. Enough is enough, and our voices will be heard!"
The Miss Universe 2025 pageant, with 122 delegates, will take place on November 21st in Pak Kret, Thailand.
And this is the part most people miss...
This incident highlights the importance of respect, especially towards women, and the need for a safe and supportive environment for all contestants. It also raises questions about the power dynamics and the role of hosts in such events.
What are your thoughts on this controversy? Do you think the organization handled the situation appropriately? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments!
