During a livestreamed pre-pageant assembly ahead of the seventy-fourth Miss Universe competition in Thailand, Miss Mexico titleholder Fátima Bosch was publicly berated by Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil after being accused of failing to participate in a social-media promotional photo shoot.

The exchange escalated when Itsaragrisil referred to her as “dumb” and called for security to remove her.

Bosch stood her ground, replying, “Because I have a voice,” and saying she had been disrespected as a woman while representing her country.

The tense moment prompted reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig and several other contestants to walk out in solidarity.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) swiftly responded, with its president Raúl Rocha Cantú condemning Itsaragrisil’s actions as incompatible with the values of respect and dignity the organisation upholds.

He announced measures to restrict Itsaragrisil’s involvement in subsequent pageant activities.

In a public statement, Bosch expressed her disappointment at how she had been treated and asserted that she would not remain silent.

“I’m here representing my country,” she said, “and it’s not my fault if you have problems with my organisation.” The Miss Universe Mexico official account backed her, declaring that the voice she carries “is the voice of women of the world.”

Itsaragrisil later issued a general apology, acknowledging discomfort caused by the incident and indicating he had met with the MUO and Bosch’s team in an effort to resolve the matter.

The incident raises broader questions about organisational culture, accountability and the treatment of contestants in the beauty-pageant industry, especially at one of its most prestigious global events now hosted in Thailand.

With the final Miss Universe ceremony scheduled for 21 November in Pak Kret, the episode underscores the importance of maintaining professional, respectful environments for all participants.