On November 4, several Miss Universe 2025 candidates, including reigning titleholder Victoria Theilvig, walked out of the sashing ceremony in Bangkok after Nawat Itsaragrisil reprimanded Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between pageant organizers. Despite apologies, the controversy has sparked global discussions.
The Miss Universe 2025 pageant is set for Bangkok, Thailand, on November 21, marking the 74th edition of the prestigious beauty competition. Controversies have mounted as the coronation night approaches, from the seizure of promotional materials to candidates walking out.
In October 2022, JKN Global Group acquired the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), with Anne Jakrajutatip becoming head as the first transgender woman in the role. The company filed for rehabilitation amid debts, and Anne stepped down this year following scrutiny from Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission over alleged falsified statements. Half of MUO’s stake was sold to Legacy Holding, led by Raul Rocha Cantu, while Nawat Itsaragrisil, founder of Miss Grand International (MGI), acquired the Miss Universe Thailand franchise.
Raul was appointed executive director, and he and Nawat planned to collaborate. However, Nawat criticized the MUO on social media for lacking candidate promotions: “They don’t know how to run a pageant. I already told them! If they gave me the passwords, I’d help post. But they’re so protective of everything and doing nothing. So, just let them be. Everything that has to be asked is the problem, that everything has to be asked of Mr. Raul?”
One early issue was Nawat ordering authorities to seize materials featuring PlayTime PH, a Philippine-based gambling sponsor. MGI clarified it had no involvement, noting gambling ads are illegal in Thailand. A planned 'Top 10 Special Dinner & Talk Show' was canceled after the MUO deemed it unauthorized; Philippines' Ahtisa Manalo topped the online voting.
The latest incident on November 4 occurred during the sashing ceremony, where Nawat reprimanded Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch for skipping a sponsor shoot. “If you follow the orders from your national director, you are a dumbhead,” he said. Bosch walked out, followed by Theilvig and others. Outside, Bosch stated: “And I think 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. And no one will do that to me.” Theilvig added: “We have respect for everyone but this is not how things should be handled. To trash another girl is beyond disrespectful.”
MUO president Raul Rocha condemned Nawat: “He humiliated, insulted, and showed a lack of respect, in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman...” He restricted Nawat’s participation in events. The MUO will continue its partnership with MGI. Nawat apologized on social media and at the welcome ceremony: “I am a human. I’m under a lot of pressure. Sometimes, I cannot control… By the way, I do not intend to harm anyone because I respect all of you.”
This is Thailand's fourth time hosting, after 1992, 2005, and 2018, when Philippines' Catriona Gray won.