'Karma is a queen': Rachel Gupta cryptic post for Miss Universe's Nawat Itsaragrisil is viral

Former Miss Grand International Rachel Gupta, and (right) Miss Universe vice president (Asiana) and Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil and (right) (Image credit: Instagram, X)

Rachel Gupta, the 21-year-old model from Jalandhar who made history as the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International (MGI) title in 2024, has posted a cryptic message on Instagram that appears to reference the growing controversy surrounding Thai businessman and Miss Universe Vice President (Asiana) Nawat Itsaragrisil.

“Karma is a queen,” Gupta wrote, without naming anyone.

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The post comes after Itsaragrisil publicly berated Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during a live-streamed sash ceremony in Thailand, calling her a “dumbhead” and ordering security to remove her from the room. The incident sparked a walkout by several contestants and led to widespread condemnation online, with critics accusing the pageant executive of misogyny and abuse of power.

Social media users quickly interpreted Gupta’s post as a pointed response to the scandal, with many praising her for speaking out against the toxic culture she had previously exposed.

‘They don't care if I live or die’: Gupta's earlier allegations against MGI 

Gupta resigned from her title on May 28, citing “broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment.” In a YouTube video titled ‘The Truth about Miss Grand International — My Story’, she accused the organisers of body-shaming, physical humiliation, and emotional neglect.

“Frankly, they don’t care if I live or die,” Gupta said. “As long as I’m there to smile at their events, as long as I keep my body super skinny, the way they like, they don’t care if I live or die.” She also described being pinched by a pageant representative who told her to lose weight in specific areas.

“It makes you feel so small and so bad,” she said. “I understand I have to stay fit, but it’s so difficult when you’re locked in a house all day long.”

Following her resignation, MGI issued a statement revoking her title and accusing her of failing to fulfil duties, engaging in external projects without approval, and refusing to travel to Guatemala. 

Days after her resignation, Instagram posts by Itsaragrisil surfaced in which he accused Gupta of undergoing surgery -- a claim she has not addressed publicly -- and mocked her appearance.

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‘Crocodile tears': Public apology fails to stem criticism

Itsaragrisil later issued a public apology for the incident involving Miss Mexico, appearing emotional during a press conference. However, online commentators dismissed his tears as performative, with many pointing to his history of body-shaming contestants—including Gupta and former Miss Iceland Arna Ýr Jónsdóttir, who quit the pageant in 2016 after being told she was “too fat.”

Such a powerful moment. Contestants walked out of Miss Universe 2025 in solidarity with Miss Mexico after director Nawat Itsaragrisil’s disrespectful tirade.

So proud of Miss Armenia for standing with Miss Mexico—joined by contestants from 🇧🇸🇧🇿🇧🇴🇧🇬🇨🇦🇨🇷🇩🇰🇮🇷🇵🇸🇵🇦🇵🇷🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/vQho7TvF0q

— Dr. Anzhela Mnatsakanyan (@ANZHELA_YAN) November 5, 2025

“NO MORE NAWAT,” one Instagram user wrote. “This is the moment to protect our traditional and loved pageant.”

"Crocodile tears," commented an X user. "This year's Miss Universe pageant isn't even Nawat Itsaragrisil's first controversy. He has a long history of body shaming and bullying women. The women did well to collectively stand up against him."