Mass walk-out after official calls Miss Mexico “dumb head”

Mass walk-out after official calls Miss Mexico “dumb head”

During the pre-pageant sash ceremony of Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand on November 4, a volatile confrontation erupted between Mexican contestant Fátima Bosch and Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil. The exchange, broadcast live on Facebook, began when Itsaragrisil accused Bosch of refusing to participate in a promotional photoshoot and then publicly chastised her by name. He asked, “Mexico, where are you? I heard you’re not going to support everything about Thailand… is that true?” When Bosch stood up to respond, he reportedly called her a “dumbhead”.

Bosch retorted, “Because I have a voice. You are not respecting me as a woman,” after which Itsaragrisil summoned security to escort her from the room. In solidarity, the reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig and more than a dozen contestants rose and walked out en masse, slamming the treatment of Bosch and calling for respect for all participants.

The incident triggered widespread backlash. Social media users demanded action, and the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) responded by condemning the behaviour and appointing their CEO Mario Búcaro to oversee the remainder of the pageant in Thailand. Itsaragrisil later issued an apology, appearing visibly emotional, although his claim that he did not use the exact “dumbhead” term was contradicted by video footage.

Despite the turmoil, the MUO has said that the pageant schedule will continue as planned on November 21. The controversy, however, has overshadowed the glamour and cast light on ongoing concerns over respect and governance in global pageants.