What started as a routine ceremony in Bangkok has erupted into some of the explosive controversies in Miss Universe historical past, a public confrontation that has uncovered the deep fractures throughout the pageant organisation and reignited conversations about dignity, respect, and girls’s empowerment on the worldwide stage.
The Miss Universe Organisation appointed Mario Búcaro as its new CEO, succeeding Anne Jakrajutatip, who had stepped down on June 20 following a reorganisation at JKN World Group in Thailand. Búcaro, a former diplomat, took the helm lower than a month earlier than the Miss Universe 2025 pageant.
The timing proved essential. Behind the scenes, pressure had been mounting between MUO President Raúl Rocha Cantú and Nawat Itsaragrisil, the Thai govt who served as each president of Miss Grand Worldwide and vice chairman for Asia and Oceania throughout the Miss Universe Organisation on the time.
November 2, 2025
The pageant begins, and tensions simmer
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Greater than 120 candidates arrived in Thailand for the 74th Miss Universe Competitors, receiving a heat Thai welcome at Suvarnabhumi Worldwide Airport. The delegates started their journey with fittings, photoshoots, and registration on the Chatrium Lodge Riverside in Bangkok.
However behind the glamorous welcome, tensions have been already brewing. Nawat Itsaragrisil, the nationwide director of Miss Universe Thailand and govt director of the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO), inspired pageant followers to vote for contestants in a particular dinner and speak present. Nevertheless, MUO rapidly issued a press release declaring that any occasion not introduced by means of their verified channels was unauthorised.
Miss Universe Thailand responded by asserting that “because the formally licensed host organisation, we maintain the rights to handle and execute such promotional actions inside our territory.”
The rift between Nawat and the primary Miss Universe Organisation was turning into public.
November 3, 2025
The confrontation that went viral
The disaster reached its breaking level throughout what ought to have been a celebratory sashing ceremony on the delegates’ resort.
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The incident unfolded throughout a sashing ceremony held on the delegates’ resort, the place Nawat, publicly questioned Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch’s absence from a sponsor shoot. Nawat allegedly known as the Mexican mannequin a “dumb head.”
Movies have been circulating on-line the place Bosch could be heard saying, “We respect you, simply as it’s best to respect us. I’m right here representing my nation, and it’s not my fault you have got issues with my organisation.” Nawat responded, “No, you need to hearken to me first, then argue with me.”
The change resulted in Bosch in addition to a number of others, together with reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig, exiting the room, expressing to pageant media stationed outdoors her dismay with how the state of affairs was dealt with. “We have now respect for everybody, however this isn’t how issues must be dealt with; to trash one other lady is past disrespectful.”.
As girls stood to go away, Nawat was heard saying, “Cease. Safety.”
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Outdoors the venue, Bosch addressed native Thai media, delivering a robust message of dignity and empowerment. “I like Thailand. I respect your folks and your tradition deeply,” she mentioned. “However what your director simply did was not respectful. He known as me dumb as a result of he has points with the organisation. That’s not honest. I’m right here doing my greatest, being sort to everybody. He simply attacked me and informed me to close up. The world must see this as a result of we’re empowered girls, and nobody ought to silence our voices.”
November 4, 2025
Nawat points an apology
In a livestream posted to his social media accounts, Nawat issued an apology. Talking in Thai, he mentioned, “If anybody feels dangerous, uncomfortable, or affected, I apologize to everybody. I particularly apologised to the women who have been current, round 75 of them.”
He additionally talked about that no representatives from the worldwide group have been at the moment within the nation, including that Mario Búcaro, Miss Universe’s CEO, “may be very sort and can fly in tomorrow since I want somebody absolutely licensed to work with me. That may make issues simpler and preserve us aligned.”
What started as a confrontation over sponsor obligations has turn into a referendum on energy, respect, and the remedy of ladies in one of many world’s most seen platforms. For a lot of watching, this controversy represents a long-overdue reckoning, a second when contestants refused to be silenced, when dignity mattered greater than a crown, and when the world took discover.
MUO releases an official assertion
The Miss Universe Organisation launched a press release condemning the incident: “The Miss Universe Group (MUO) reaffirms its dedication to working intently with the host group, the Miss Grand Worldwide Group (MGI), and all native companions to make sure the continued success of the 74th Miss Universe competitors. Collectively, we’re devoted to upholding the best requirements of respect, security, and integrity for all contributors, workers, and stakeholders. A high-level delegation, led by the Chief Govt Officer, Mr. Mario Búcaro, is touring to Thailand to strengthen collaboration with the host nation, MGI, and related authorities.”
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It added, “This mission goals to coordinate efforts, guarantee a safe {and professional} atmosphere for all delegates, and reaffirm MUO’s dedication to transparency, respect, and unity. All scheduled occasions and actions will proceed as deliberate, in full cooperation with the host nation and MGl, reaffirming our shared aim of delivering an distinctive international celebration that displays the values of variety, empowerment, and inclusion that outline the Miss Universe legacy.The Miss Universe Group stays steadfast in its mission to advertise collaboration, respect, and alternative for girls all over the world, working hand in hand with all companions to make sure a secure, inspiring, and memorable expertise for each.”
This 12 months, Manika Vishwakarma from Rajasthan is about to signify India on the international 74th Miss Universe competitors to be in Thailand on November 21.
