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"Dumb Head" Slur Causes International Pageant Chaos: Miss Universe President Steps In

 




A significant public dispute erupted within the Miss Universe Organization during a major preliminary event, leading to the public shaming of a national representative, the walk-out of several delegates, and a swift organizational response. The incident involved Fatima Bosch, the 25-year-old representative of Miss Universe Mexico 2025, and Nawat Itsaragrisil, a 60-year-old Thai businessman and the Vice-President for Asia and Oceania within the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), who also serves as the director of Miss Universe Thailand and chairman of the Miss Universe Thailand Host Committee.

The event, an international annual sashing ceremony, took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 4. Ms. Bosch was in attendance alongside 129 other contestants ahead of the finals scheduled for November 21. The confrontation, which was live-streamed on social media, occurred when Mr. Nawat publicly reprimanded Ms. Bosch. The core of the issue stemmed from Mr. Nawat’s assertion that Ms. Bosch was allegedly unable to fulfill a sponsored shoot obligation. During the tense exchange, the executive reportedly referred to the Mexican contestant as "a dumb head," a slight that he indicated was tied to issues he had with the Miss Universe Mexico national director. The public humiliation was so severe that Mr. Nawat even called for security to escort Ms. Bosch out of the venue.

Instead of complying with the attempt to silence her, Ms. Bosch stood her ground. Retorting to the executive, she stated, "As women, you need to show respect for us. I’m here representing a country, and it’s not my fault that you have problems with my organization." Following the verbal attack, Ms. Bosch, joined by fellow contestants and the reigning Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Theilvig of Denmark, walked out of the sashing ceremony in a unified display of protest.

The incident instantly drew widespread attention and garnered mixed reactions on social media platforms, with many pageant followers expressing concern that the organization was failing to foster a positive environment for the current delegates. Later, Ms. Bosch took to her own social media pages, characterizing the executive's remarks as "disrespectful" and advocating for the importance of self-respect. "I believe the world needs to hear and see this because we are all empowered women. If something costs you your dignity, you need to walk away," she wrote.

The organizational fallout was immediate. Raul Rocha, President of the Miss Universe Organization, released a video statement on November 5, strongly denouncing Mr. Nawat’s conduct. Mr. Rocha expressed "great indignation towards Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fatima Bosch," specifying that the executive "humiliated, insulted, and he showed a lack of respect, in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenceless woman, trying to silence and exclude her." Mr. Rocha emphasized that as the official host, Mr. Nawat had the duty "to serve (Miss Universe delegates), assist them and support them, and to ensure they have a unique life experience filled with kindness and courtesy."

To address the situation and its negative impact, Mr. Rocha announced that the newly elected Chief Executive Officer of MUO, Mario Bucaro, would be dispatched to Thailand to directly oversee the remainder of the pageant events. This executive action aimed at limiting Mr. Nawat’s participation in the competition "as much as possible or eliminating it completely." The Miss Universe Organization later issued a brief statement confirming that planned activities would continue.

In the wake of the controversy, Mr. Nawat issued an apology, first in a TikTok Live session and then a public apology at the 74th Miss Universe opening ceremony on the night of November 5. He acknowledged that confusion in communication might have been a factor and admitted he did not clearly hear Ms. Bosch during the live-stream, which contributed to the heated verbal interaction where he directed her to sit down. "If anyone (was not) feeling good, if anyone (was) not comfortable... I do apologize (to) everyone," he stated in his social media address. Later on stage, he reiterated his regret: "I’m so sorry (the past events) happened. I did not intend to harm anyone because I respect all of you."

The controversy drew strong reactions from former pageant titleholders. Sheynnis Palacios, the 25-year-old 2023 title-holder from Nicaragua, publicly expressed her displeasure on social media on November 5. She noted that the recent "surprises" within the organization went against the purpose of "celebrating women with a voice and purpose," stressing that "dignity, gender equality and transparency" were being jeopardized. She added, "It is not acceptable for a woman to be insulted or publicly disrespected under the spotlight of an international pageant that claims to promote the voice, talent and dignity of women."

Similarly, Andrea Meza, the 31-year-old Mexican winner of Miss Universe 2020, weighed in by resharing the video of the MUO President's reprimand of the executive and writing, "Dignity and respect are never negotiable." The situation also prompted comment from Miss Universe Singapore 2025, Annika Sager, a 25-year-old, who shared a message on her social media on November 5, advocating for "environments built on mutual respect," where delegates "deserve to be uplifted, not undermined."

The international incident has thus raised serious concerns about the treatment of contestants and the upholding of the stated values of respect and empowerment within the international beauty pageant community.

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Location: Singapore

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