Dozens of contestants have staged a dramatic walk-out at the Miss Universe pageant in Bangkok just weeks before the 74th edition of the competition, set to take place on 21 November 2025. The incident – a public confrontation between Thai organiser Nawat Itsaragrisil and Fatima Bosch, the current Miss Mexico – has sparked a wave of solidarity among contestants and forced the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) to step in.
The walk-out and why
Witnesses say Nawat, head of the Thai host committee and local franchise holder, aggressively confronted Bosch in front of fellow contestants for allegedly missing a sponsor shoot. When she tried to explain that she didn’t agree to that, he cut her off and called her ‘a dumb head’ before calling security.
Moments later, Bosch responded on camera, ‘What your director just did is not respectful. He called me dumb because he has issues with the organisation. I think the world needs to see this, because we are empowered women and this platform is for our voices. No one can silence it. No one will silence me.’
The tense exchange prompted multiple contestants – including reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig – to stand up and leave the room in solidarity. ‘This is about women’s rights. We respect everyone but this is not how things should be handled,’ Theilvig said. ‘Insulting another contestant is a huge lack of respect.’
Why it matters
The walk-out has exposed a growing rift between the Thai host team and the Miss Universe Organization. Following the incident the MUO issued a statement saying, ‘All scheduled events and activities will continue as planned, reaffirming our shared goal of delivering an exceptional celebration that reflects the values of diversity, empowerment and inclusion.’
The statement was widely interpreted as a move to reassert control and shift focus back to the contestants rather than the organisers. Reports suggest Nawat’s role in official Miss Universe events will now be restricted.
The casino-promo probe
Just a day before the walk-out, Thai police launched an investigation into an alleged illegal online casino promotion tied to the pageant’s host activities – and the tip-off came from Nawat’s own team. His organisation told reporters that it had alerted authorities after discovering that contestants were asked by Miss Universe Organization staff to film promotional material featuring a casino-branded prop, a clear violation of Thai law.
By positioning himself as the whistleblower, Nawat cast his camp as the guardians of Thai regulations while shifting scrutiny toward the MUO. The back-to-back scandals – a police probe sparked by the host committee and a mass walk-out led by contestants – have raised sharp questions about oversight, leadership and control at one of the world’s most high-profile beauty contests.
Miss Cambodia and others join the stand
While the confrontation initially revolved around Miss Mexico, delegates from several countries – including Cambodia – also joined the walk-out, turning a single protest into a collective action for dignity. The Cambodian entrant, Thai Neary Socheata, arrived in Bangkok despite her sponsor announcing a withdrawal of Cambodia from the competition, citing unresolved diplomatic tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.
And the show must go on
Despite the turbulence, the 74th Miss Universe competition is still scheduled for 21 November 2025 at Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi. MUO has confirmed that all events will proceed as planned and that it is working with partners in Thailand to ensure a safe and respectful environment for contestants.