Miss Universe contestants walk out after Thai official berates Miss Mexico

Several contestants walked out of a recent Miss Universe event after a tense confrontation involving Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, and Nawat Itsaragrisil, the director of Miss Universe Thailand. During a pre-pageant ceremony, Nawat publicly reprimanded Bosch for not posting promotional content, leading to a heated exchange.

When Bosch objected to the criticism, Nawat reportedly called security and threatened to disqualify anyone supporting her. In solidarity, Bosch left the room, followed by several other contestants. Video of the incident, which was live-streamed, shows some contestants shouting back at Nawat as he raised his voice and told Bosch to stop talking.

After the confrontation, Bosch described Nawat's behavior as "not respectful," claiming he called her "dumb." Nawat disputed this, stating his words had been misunderstood, although reports suggest he referred to her as a "dumbhead."

In response to the incident, the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) condemned Nawat's actions, labeling them "malicious," and sent a delegation of international executives to oversee the event. MUO President Raul Rocha expressed that Nawat had "humiliated and insulted" Bosch and stated that his participation would be limited or eliminated entirely, with potential legal actions being considered.

Among those who walked out was reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark, who emphasized the importance of women's rights and the need for respect among contestants. Bosch reiterated her commitment to being a voice for women and girls fighting for various causes, stating, "I'm not a doll to be made up... I came here to be a voice for all the women."

Nawat later issued an apology, stating, "If anyone feels bad, uncomfortable, or affected, I apologise to everyone." Despite the controversy, the Miss Universe competition is ongoing, with contestants participating in events in Bangkok ahead of the crowning on November 21.