Jakarta. The 2025 Miss Universe pageant, held in Thailand since November 2, has descended into controversy after an explosive confrontation between Miss Universe Thailand Director Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Universe Mexico Fatima Bosch went viral, triggering outrage and a contestant walkout.

In a backstage video circulated online, Nawat was seen reprimanding Bosch during a group session. “Ok. Mexico, where are you?” he shouted. Moments later, he added, “If you follow your order from your national director, you are dumbhead. I didn’t give you opportunity to talk, please. Keep polite to me. I am still talking with everybody. Why do you stand up to talk to me?”

The exchange stunned participants and audiences alike. Bosch later responded tearfully, saying she had done nothing to provoke the outburst. “You know that as a country, you have all my respect. I truly love Thailand. I respect all of you,” she said. “But what your director did is not respectful. He called me ‘dumb’ because he had problems with the organization. I think that is not fair because I’m here doing everything okay. I just try to be kind. I’m just trying my best, and he just shot me. He shut me up.”

Bosch then made an emotional appeal that resonated across social media. “The world needs to see this. Because we are empowered women, and this is a platform for our voice. And no one can shut our voice,” she said. “If you have a big dream, if you have a crown, and that takes away your dignity, you need to go.”

The conflict comes amid major structural changes within the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), including a 50 percent share transfer to Legacy Holding Group USA Inc. and the appointment of new executives. The turmoil reportedly deepened after MUO deemed an online voting event “unauthorized,” while questions grew over the professionalism of the local Thai host team.

As tensions escalated, several contestants, including Bosch, walked out in protest, while Miss Universe 2024 expressed public solidarity. In a later appearance, Nawat was seen breaking down in tears, underscoring the emotional strain behind the scenes of one of the world’s most-watched beauty competitions.