Miss Universe vice president (Asiana) and Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil is facing severe backlash after he humiliated Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, publicly and called her a "dumbhead". The incident occurred during a live-streamed sash ceremony in Thailand and went viral, causing Itsaragrisil to issue a public apology, shedding what online commentators called "crocodile tears". But criticism against him is only growing as it emerged that the Thai businessman has a history of body-shaming beauty queens, including India's Rachel Gupta.
The 21-year-old model from Jalandhar, who became the first Indian to win the Miss Grand International (MGI) title in Thailand in 2024, only to resign seven months into her reign, citing "toxic environment" at the pageant and repeated humiliation by pageant officials.
In a video statement shared on YouTube in May, Gupta revealed that she was “pinched, asked to lose weight, and body-shamed” during her tenure. 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.
“I was told to lose weight, I was pinched, and I was made to feel like I wasn’t good enough,” Gupta said. “This was not the dream I signed up for.” The MGI organisation responded by revoking her title and instructing her to return the crown within 30 days. At the time, critics had condemned the remarks as invasive and defamatory, with many calling for Itsaragrisil's removal from the Miss Universe and MGI leadership.
‘You may be a little bit fat’: Nawat's history of body-shaming resurfaces
The controversy has reignited global scrutiny of Itsaragrisil’s past conduct, including a 2016 incident involving Miss Iceland Arna Ýr Jónsdóttir. Jónsdóttir quit the pageant after being told by MGI staff to “eat less” and lose weight before the finals.
“Your staff told me that I had to lose weight for the finals because I have too much fat on me and also too big shoulders,” Jónsdóttir wrote in a public letter. In a statement at the time, Itsaragrisil defended the remarks, saying contestants were advised to “show improvement” and that similar feedback was given to others.
“She may be a little bit fat,” he said. “This is a normal process during the pageant.” Jónsdóttir responded by withdrawing from the competition, stating: “Miss Grand International doesn’t deserve my face, body, personality or heart.”
Viewers, contestants ask for accountability
The backlash against Itsaragrisil comes amid broader calls for reform in global beauty pageants, with viewers and former contestants demanding accountability and structural change.
“NO MORE NAWAT. He needs to be OUT. You need to take action against him. This is the moment to protect our traditional and loved pageant,” one Instagram user wrote.
An X user commented, "The audacity of this man is absolutely unhinged. Watching Nawat humiliate Miss Mexico on stage like she was some kind of servant while the cameras rolled made my blood boil. The fact that other delegates had the spine to walk out in solidarity shows you exactly what kind of toxic."
"Bro really turned a beauty pageant into a power trip. Imagine embarrassing Miss Mexico on stage and thinking that’s leadership. No wonder contestants are walking out, respect goes both ways," added another X user.
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