Miss Universe scandal in Thailand ignites global outrage over sexism

A heated confrontation between a Mexican contestant and a Thai pageant director during a Miss Universe event has ignited global criticism of sexism in the beauty industry and renewed debate over how women are treated in high-profile competitions.

The controversy erupted when a live-streamed meeting showed Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International, scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old Miss Universe Mexico contestant, for allegedly failing to promote Thailand, the host country of this year’s Miss Universe competition, set to take place in Bangkok later this month.

In the video, Nawat accused Bosch of not posting enough promotional content and implied she was following orders from Mexico’s pageant director to sabotage the event. He reportedly called her a “dumbhead,” though Nawat later denied using that term, claiming he accused her only of causing “damage.”

When Bosch attempted to defend herself, Nawat interrupted her, saying, “I didn’t give you (the) opportunity to talk,” before calling security to remove her. Several contestants walked out in protest, prompting Nawat to threaten disqualification for anyone who didn’t return to their seats.

Following widespread outrage, including from women’s rights advocates and political leaders, Nawat issued an apology during a live-streamed ceremony. “I have to say I’m very sorry,” he said, insisting that he did not intend to insult anyone.

- Backlash from Mexico and Miss Universe officials -

Bosch later told reporters that she believed the confrontation stemmed from a personal conflict between Nawat and the Miss Universe Organization, whose president Raúl Rocha is also Mexican. “I think that’s not fair because I’m here, and I do everything OK. I don’t mess with anyone. I just try to be kind. I’m trying to give my best,” Bosch said in a TikTok video.

“He just said to me, ‘shut up,’ and a lot of different things. And I think that the world needs to see this because we are empowered women, and this is a platform for our voice, and no one can shut our voice,” she added.

Rocha condemned Nawat’s actions and barred him from participating in any further pageant events, saying he was responsible for “the great abuse of having called security to intimidate a defenseless woman trying to silence and exclude her.”

- Political leaders and activists respond -

Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum weighed in during a press conference, praising Bosch’s courage. “Her response was an example of how women must raise their voices,” Sheinbaum said, rejecting the common sexist saying, “Calladita te ves más bonita” (“You look more beautiful when you’re silent”).

Sheinbaum instead offered a new slogan, “Women look more beautiful when we raise our voices and participate.”

Feminist journalist Catalina Ruiz Navarro said Bosch’s defiance marked a rare moment of collective resistance. “Her reaction was truly courageous because she had so much to lose. The fact that the girls left with her speaks to a collective outrage,” she told CNN.

- Calls for reform within pageants -

Former Miss Universe winners also joined the discussion. Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Universe 2023, wrote that “a crown should not cost a woman her dignity,” emphasizing that pageants must empower, not humiliate, participants.

Alicia Machado, who was crowned Miss Universe in 1996, recalled similar mistreatment during her time and urged for the competition to become a “platform for gender rights and equality.”

Ruiz Navarro added that while the backlash might help prevent future incidents, deeper structural changes are needed: “As long as beauty pageants exist, they have to be more inclusive, fairer, and they have to treat beauty queens with dignity.”

The 74th Miss Universe competition officially began Sunday in Bangkok, featuring contestants from 130 countries. The new Miss Universe will be crowned on November 21.