The Miss Universe 2025 competition has erupted into crisis after a confrontation between Thai host executive Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch triggered an international outcry and a mass walkout of contestants in Bangkok. Late Tuesday, Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú, the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization, broke his silence, condemning the incident as "humiliation and abuse" and announcing swift measures to restore order.
In a strongly worded statement shared with media and delegates, Rocha expressed his "unconditional solidarity and support" for all 122 contestants competing in this year's edition, calling the public aggression toward Bosch "unacceptable and disgraceful." Rocha, who co-owns Miss Universe through Legacy Holding Group USA, said he would not tolerate any violation of the organization's core principles. "I will not allow the values of respect and dignity toward women to be violated," he said, adding that Nawat had "forgotten what it means to be a true host."
Rocha's reaction followed the now-viral moment in which Nawat confronted Fátima Bosch during the sashing ceremony, questioning her absence from a sponsor shoot.
The broadcast, streamed live on social media, showed Bosch visibly uncomfortable before leaving the room, followed by several delegates from Latin America and the Caribbean. The Miss Universe Organization has since confirmed it is sending a high-level delegation to Thailand to "take control of the event" and ensure contestant safety.
In his address, Rocha revealed that he personally ordered the suspension of the sashing ceremony to avoid further contact between the Thai executive and the delegates. He stated that Nawat's participation in official Miss Universe activities will now be "very limited or null," and that CEO Mario Búcaro has been instructed to issue a corporate statement detailing the legal and contractual actions being taken. "Enough, Nawat," Rocha said. "Every woman in the world deserves respect."
Rocha also announced that a team of Miss Universe executives, including Búcaro and senior adviser Ronald, will travel immediately to Bangkok to oversee logistics and regain control of the host operations that had been entrusted to Nawat's company, MGI. "The only ones who should shine are our delegates," Rocha emphasized. "No one else has the right to steal their spotlight."
The businessman's remarks arrive amid growing reports of internal friction between the Miss Universe Organization and its Thai partner. Local outlets have documented months of disagreements over event management and sponsorship control, and this week's confrontation only deepened the rift. Thai authorities have also opened an investigation into potential advertising violations involving online-casino promotions filmed at the delegates' hotel, a move that further clouds the pageant's image.
For Rocha, the controversy cuts directly into the mission he set when he acquired the brand from JKN Global Group earlier this year: to modernize Miss Universe while protecting the women who compete. "The values of respect and dignity are not negotiable," he said. "Miss Universe must remain a platform of empowerment, where every woman can raise her voice and walk proudly, with her head held high."
As rehearsals continue in Bangkok ahead of the November 21 coronation night, the organization faces its most critical test in years. Beyond crowns and evening gowns, Miss Universe 2025 will now be remembered as the year the conversation turned from beauty to accountability, and when the owner of the world's most famous pageant declared that respect for women would no longer be optional.
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