BANGKOK, THAILAND—The Miss Universe 2025 pageant was thrown into chaos this week after a senior executive publicly humiliated Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, prompting an unprecedented mass walkout led by the reigning Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark.
The dramatic scenes, captured on a livestream from the contestants’ hotel in Bangkok, have ignited a firestorm across social media, where the collective action is being hailed as a powerful stand for “women’s rights” and dignity within the global pageant industry.
The Confrontation: ‘I Have a Voice’
The explosive dispute occurred during a pre-sash ceremony event. Nawat Itsaragrisil, a prominent Thai executive involved with both the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and the Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant, publicly confronted Miss Mexico on camera, demanding she stand and explain her alleged absence from a mandatory sponsor promotional shoot.
The exchange quickly spiraled out of control:
- The Insult: After Bosch, 26, attempted to defend herself, Itsaragrisil reportedly interrupted and allegedly called her a “dumb head” or “dummy,” shocking the room full of delegates.
- The Stand: Bosch refused to be silenced, shooting back, “I have a voice. You are not respecting me as a woman,” while insisting she was representing her country and its values.
- The Ejection: The executive then escalated the matter further, ordering security to remove Miss Mexico from the room.
The Solidarity Walkout
As Fátima Bosch walked out, clearly distressed but resolute, a wave of solidarity swept the room. Reigning Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, immediately stood up, put on her coat, and addressed the remaining delegates, criticizing the executive’s conduct.
“We have respect for everyone, but this is not how things can be handled,” Theilvig stated, asking her fellow contestants to join her. “To trash another girl—it’s beyond disrespectful, and I won’t be part of that.”
Dozens of contestants from countries across Latin America, Europe, and elsewhere immediately rose from their chairs and followed Theilvig and Bosch out of the room, leaving the executive shouting “Stop! Security!” at the departing delegates. The moment went viral globally under hashtags like #StandWithMexico.
In a statement after the event, Bosch passionately defended her actions. “What the director just did was disrespectful; he called me ‘dumb’ because he has issues with the organization… The world needs to see this because we are empowered women, and this is a platform for our voice. No one can shut our voice.”
Organization Promises Crackdown
The public fiasco forced a rapid and high-level response from the Miss Universe Organization. MUO President Raúl Rocha Cantú released a video statement condemning the executive’s actions.
“Nawat, you need to stop,” Rocha said directly. “I will not allow the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated.”
The MUO has dispatched a high-level delegation, led by CEO Mario Búcaro, to Thailand to “take control” of the remainder of the competition and ensure a professional environment for all delegates. They confirmed that the executive’s involvement in the remainder of the pageant would be “significantly restricted.”
The incident lays bare the intense pressure and often-challenging environment facing young women in the multi-billion-dollar pageant industry, but the unified walkout—threatening to collapse a premier global event—has established a powerful new precedent for contestant collective action.