An unexpected walkout at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant has taken over TikTok well beyond the world of sashes and perfect hairdos, with contestants caught in a tense standoff over respect and representation.
The drama, livestreamed for the world to watch on Facebook, unfolded behind the scenes in Thailand on November 4 — and it wasn’t your typical pageant fare.
How did the 2025 Miss Universe walkout unfold?
Things got awkward fast during a pre-pageant event when Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International, addressed a packed auditorium of contestants. Stepping to the front — and with cameras rolling for a Facebook livestream — he reminded everyone of their responsibilities, specifically insisting that all the beauty queens actively promote Thailand as the host country.
“Be careful. You are in Thailand. You are in a game,” he said, making it clear that staying silent or failing to participate in planned publicity efforts, such as official social media posts about Thailand, would not be tolerated.
Miss Mexico, Fátima Bosch, was singled out for reportedly refusing to share a group promotional post and was accused, on camera, of simply following orders from her national director. “You don’t like to post everything because your director from Mexico ordered you to not pay any attention, to post about the host country? If you follow the orders from your national director, you are a dumb,” Itsaragrisil said, per The Independent.
Bosch stood up, calmly denied the claim and defended herself, only to be cut off. When she refused to sit back down, she explained, “Because I have a voice. You are not respecting me as a woman”.
Security was summoned, and Bosch announced, “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 organisation”. Cue walkout.
More contestants stood up, while others stayed seated and looked around, confused, as Itsaragrisil said, “If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down”.
Miss Universe organisation’s response
The fallout trickled across socials within hours. The Miss Universe Organisation rolled out an official statement promising “a high-level delegation, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mario Búcaro… to strengthen collaboration with the host country, [Miss Grand International Organisation] and relevant authorities” and reaffirmed their commitment to “respect, safety, and integrity for all participants, staff, and stakeholders”.
Raúl Rocha Cantú, the Miss Universe Organisation president, made his own statement on Instagram: “I would like to make it clear my great indignation toward Nawat for the public aggression he committed against Fátima Bosch, whom he humiliated, insulted, and he showed a lack of respect, in addition to the serious abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman, trying to silence and exclude her. I will not allow the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated”.
Miss Universe contestants speak out
Bosch spoke up afterwards too in an interview posted to Instagram where she said, “We’re in the 21st century, and I’m not a doll to be made up, styled, and have my clothes changed. I came here to be a voice for all the women and all the girls who fight for causes and to tell my country that I’m completely committed to that”.
The Miss Universe Mexico organisation weighed in as well, writing, “No woman, under any circumstance, deserves to be insulted or humiliated… Today and always, Mexico is with you, Fatima. Your strength, your class, and your voice represent the best of our nation”.
The organisation continued its posts, calling out for respect and empowerment and stating, “From Mexico to the world, we remember something clear: Respect is not optional. Empowerment is not a fashion. It is our right”.
This isn’t the first time Nawat Itsaragrisil has faced criticism. He’s previously made headlines for body-shaming remarks directed at contestants, including Miss Iceland in 2016 and Miss Grand International winner Rachel Gupta earlier in the year.
Itsaragrisil did apologise on Instagram Stories: “If anyone [was] feeling not good, if anyone [was not] comfortable, if anyone [was affected], I do apologise [to] everyone. But I did talk, apologise to the rest of the girls in the room, around 75 still,” notably declining to name names.
I reckon Sandra B would be proud of Miss Mexico’s Miss Congeniality moment, anywho we’ll see if this walkout spills over to the actual competition which takes place November 21.
Lead image: TikTok / Facebook
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