'Dummy' Remark, Mass Walkout, Dramatic Apology: Tensions At Miss Universe 2025

The Miss Universe 2025 pageant opened in Bangkok with cameras, glitter, and speeches. It should have been a smooth start: crowns, sashes, applause. Instead, one moment on stage turned into a worldwide conversation.

A senior Thai pageant executive, Nawat Itsaragrisil, had a tense exchange with Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch. The incident occurred during the sashing ceremony on November 4. The moment was brief, but it changed the tone of the event within minutes. Phones recorded it. Clips spread. People noticed. Contestants walked out. And within days, Nawat was removed from his role.

What began as a routine ceremony suddenly became a story about power, respect, and how women are spoken to on a public stage.

The Moment That Sparked the Controversy

During the ceremony, Nawat approached Bosch. Their interaction did not look friendly. Bosch later said she felt insulted and embarrassed. She said he called her “dumb” in front of the audience. According to her, the remark had nothing to do with her performance. It came from a dispute between him and the Miss Mexico organisation.

Bosch did not shout. She did not react on stage. She carried on, then spoke to the media after.

“I really love Thailand. I respect everyone. I think they are amazing people. But what the director just did was disrespectful. He called me ‘dumb’ because he has issues with the organisation,” she said.

Her voice was calm. Her focus was dignity. She made it clear she was not blaming the country or its people. She was addressing the way she was spoken to. The moment felt pointed yet restrained. It showed control, not drama.

Soon after the exchange, groups of contestants walked out of the venue. They left quietly. No flash signs. No speeches. But the message landed. By that evening, photos and videos were everywhere. People across Mexico, Thailand, the Philippines, India, and beyond reacted.

Fans debated. Pageant watchers examined every clip. Commentators waited for official statements.

Online, one question kept appearing: how should pageant leaders behave toward contestants on stage?

The Miss Universe Organisation did not wait long. It issued a short statement confirming that Nawat was no longer associated with the 2025 event. No details. No long explanation. A simple message that his role had ended. It also thanked contestants for staying composed during the episode.

The move signalled that the moment on stage mattered. Behaviour, tone, and public respect are part of this world too. Nawat later posted a video message, apologising to Bosch.

“I wholeheartedly apologise and assure you that I will learn from my mistake. It was never my intention to cause disrespect,” he said, sobbing on stage.

Nawat Itsaragrisil, quien insultó a Miss México Fátima Bosch, y mandó a los de seguridad para retirarla, terminó como the Creator, expulsado del certamen más importante del mundo. pic.twitter.com/0Myinc45BI

— Helisut Córdova (@HelisutCordova) November 5, 2025

The reaction to his apology was mixed. Some called it sincere. Others felt it came only after pressure and removal. Social media, as always, is split into camps.

Who Is Nawat?

Nawat is not new to the beauty pageant world. He is the founder of Miss Grand International, a major pageant based in Thailand. He has been a strong voice in the industry for years and helped push Thailand into global pageant conversations.

He is known to speak directly. Some admire that confidence. Others point to past disputes and see a pattern. His supporters say he built a platform for contestants. His critics say public roles require respect and restraint.

This incident has now become a turning point in his public career.

Why This Moment Struck A Nerve

Beauty pageants have changed. They are no longer just about evening gowns and scores. Contestants speak about issues. Leadership behaviour is watched. Cameras capture everything. A new generation of viewers demands accountability.

Bosch did not make a scene. She held her ground quietly. The contestants who walked out did not chant or shout. They left together. The response was firm, not loud. And the message was simple: respect matters.

In global pageantry, gestures carry meaning. Silence and dignity can speak louder than microphones.

Where The Conversation Goes Next

This moment has expanded into a broader question. How do we treat women on public platforms? How do leaders speak in rooms filled with talent, ambition, and hard work? And what does accountability look like when millions are watching?

The Miss Universe stage is often about glamour. This time, it became a stage for a different conversation. One about tone, dignity, and power.

For many viewers, the takeaway was not only about one remark. It was about what happens when someone stands their ground. And what happens when others stand with her?

The crown moment will come later in the competition. But many will remember this week as the moment the pageant world paused and took stock of how respect looks under bright lights.

Views expressed by the author are their own.